basically

adverb

ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce basically (audio)
Definition of basicallynext
as in mostly
for the most part your answer is basically correct

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of basically Flock basically started a private nationwide network where any police department or city that’s using Flock’s network can opt into it and share their data with it. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 Fungi can artificially inflate the price by hoarding the phosphorus in their network and then driving the price of it, waiting basically until the plant is able to provide more carbon in return. — Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 And now, because Iran attacked some radar systems throughout the region, the penetration rate of its missiles has probably gone up and soon Iran will go after basically those bases in Europe. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Over the hump and safely into a big Thursday — which, during the fall, is basically the start of the weekend. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for basically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basically
  1. mostly
  2. mainly
  3. primarily
  4. largely
  5. chiefly
  6. predominantly
  7. generally
  8. principally
Adverb
  • People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Though their loss to the Vikings was mostly to a backup quarterback there as well.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of mostly
Adverb
  • What to do nearby The Algarve is mainly populated with beach resorts—and most are much larger than this one.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Reps for Busfield, who has been out on bond and mainly on the East Coast since the beginning of the year, and his main lawyer Larry Stein did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the news.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mainly
Adverb
  • The system is primarily intended to counter small unmanned aircraft.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Their list consists primarily of interventions such as more per-pupil funding, banning cellphones and restricting artificial intelligence in the classroom.
    — Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of primarily
Adverb
  • Advertisement France has never seen so many violent incidents in a movement made up largely of high school students.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Violent crime concentrates in poor neighborhoods, and largely because of our history, Black Americans are far more likely than white Americans to live in them.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • Although the strategic consequences of their actions may ultimately benefit Iran in its own regional and international conflicts, the Houthis see their military campaign against Saudi Arabia chiefly as an act of national defense.
    — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The animation of the original series was overseen by three South Korean studios, chiefly JM Animation in the early seasons and MOI Animation in the latter ones.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chiefly
Adverb
  • Some predominantly Muslim neighborhoods on the city's peripheries, with narrow and steep mazelike streets, have high crime rates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • After seven years of promoting local businesses in San Francisco’s predominantly Latino Mission District, the nonprofit has a brick-and-mortar space that reflects its passion for the neighborhood.
    — Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Photos were generally limited to 2,048 pixels on the long edge, while videos could be delivered at resolutions up to 720p.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of generally
Adverb
  • That shift carries potential implications for concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, which has relied principally on federal support, particularly from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The whole city ends up bearing the brunt of astronomical housing prices that, whatever their other causes, are principally downstream from a housing market that quite simply cannot keep up with demand.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of principally

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Cite this Entry

“Basically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basically. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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