ultimately

adverb

ul·​ti·​mate·​ly ˈəl-tə-mət-lē How to pronounce ultimately (audio)
Synonyms of ultimately
1
: in the end : fundamentally
the word comes ultimately from Latin
2
: eventually
ultimately, they agreed

Synonyms of ultimately

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Examples of ultimately in a Sentence

The changes ultimately proved to be unnecessary. Ultimately, it's a question of who is more popular.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among the 105 people who were ultimately arrested, 75 are believed to have been deported to their home countries, according to local media, and 26 were released from ICE custody after their lawyers filed habeas corpus petitions. — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 Although control of the House will ultimately be determined in votes for individual candidates in individual congressional districts across the county, the generic House question is a useful barometer. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Technical considerations can be discussed, but the decisions that shape an image ultimately arise from something inexplicable. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 The Panthers, driving right around midfield, were facing a fourth-and-1, let 20-plus seconds go off the clock and then ultimately never ran a play and went to the locker room. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ultimately

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultimately was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

ultimate line
ultimately
ultimate mortality table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ultimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimately. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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