another word for largely: 26 Synonyms & Examples

At a Glance: largely Synonyms and Related Alternatives

If you need a quick swap, try mainly (most importantly), mostly (almost entirely), chiefly (above all), principally (as the main reason), primarily (first and foremost), predominantly (more than anything else), generally (as a rule), essentially (at its core), substantially (by a large amount), or considerably (to a notable degree).

Which Word Should You Use?

If you want to…	Use	Why
Name the main cause of something	principally	Points straight at the chief reason
Describe a big share of a group	mostly	Signals “almost all of it” in plain language
Sound formal in a report or essay	substantially	Measured, precise, and businesslike
Keep it casual in conversation	mainly	The everyday default everyone understands
Stress how far something goes	to a large extent	Emphasizes scope and reach
Sum things up after weighing details	on the whole	Gives a balanced final verdict
Talk about what usually happens	generally	Covers the normal, expected case
Get to the core truth	essentially	Strips away the extras and keeps the heart of it

Exploring the Multiple Meanings of “largely”

1. To a great extent (degree)

• Meaning: Very much; by a large amount.
• Explanation: Measures intensity, how strongly or how far something applies, rather than counting parts.
• Example: The new policy was largely successful in rural areas.

2. For the most part (proportion)

• Meaning: Mostly; nearly all.
• Explanation: Describes a large share of a group or quantity while leaving room for exceptions.
• Example: The crowd was largely made up of students.

3. On a large scale (scope)

• Meaning: Widely; extensively.
• Explanation: Describes breadth of action or coverage rather than a share of a whole.
• Example: The company invests largely in renewable energy.

4. Chiefly as a cause (reason)

• Meaning: Mainly because of one factor.
• Explanation: Points to the dominant cause among several possible ones.
• Example: She won largely through steady, consistent training.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, Etymonline, Collins

Analyzing 26 largely Alternatives in Detail

Some of the words below are direct synonyms of largely, while others are related alternatives that work only in certain contexts, the usage note tells you which is which.

Everyday Core Alternatives

1. mainly

IPA: /ˈmeɪnli/ (US and UK)

Definition: For the most part; chiefly.

• Usage: The closest everyday synonym of largely. Neutral in tone and works in almost any sentence where largely fits.
• Example: The delay was mainly caused by bad weather.

2. mostly

IPA: /ˈmoʊstli/ US · /ˈməʊstli/ UK

Definition: Almost entirely; for the most part.

• Usage: A direct synonym in the proportion sense (“most of it”). Slightly more conversational than largely.
• Example: The audience was mostly teenagers.

3. chiefly

IPA: /ˈtʃiːfli/ (US and UK)

Definition: Above all; mainly.

• Usage: Direct synonym with a slightly formal feel. Strong in the “main cause or factor” sense.
• Example: He is remembered chiefly for his early novels.

4. primarily

IPA: /praɪˈmerəli/ US · /ˈpraɪmərəli/ UK

Definition: For the most part; in the first place.

• Usage: Direct synonym, common in both speech and writing. Often points to the first or most important factor.
• Example: The town is primarily known for its fishing industry.

Formal Alternatives

5. principally

IPA: /ˈprɪnsəpəli/ (US and UK)

Definition: Mainly; for the most part.

• Usage: A formal synonym, frequent in reports, academic writing, and official statements.
• Example: The fund is principally supported by private donors.

6. predominantly

IPA: /prɪˈdɑːmɪnəntli/ US · /prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/ UK

Definition: Mainly; for the most part.

• Usage: Formal synonym emphasizing that one thing outweighs the rest. Common in data-heavy writing.
• Example: The region’s economy is predominantly agricultural.

7. substantially

IPA: /səbˈstænʃəli/ (US and UK)

Definition: To a great extent; by a large amount.

• Usage: Direct synonym in the degree sense, with a measured, businesslike tone. Less natural for the “most of the group” sense.
• Example: Costs have risen substantially this year.

8. considerably

IPA: /kənˈsɪdərəbli/ (US and UK)

Definition: To a notable or significant degree.

• Usage: Direct synonym for the degree sense (“by a lot”). Works best with comparatives and measurable change.
• Example: The new model is considerably faster.

Meaning-and-Essence Alternatives

9. generally

IPA: /ˈdʒenərəli/ (US and UK)

Definition: In most cases; usually.

• Usage: A related alternative rather than an exact synonym, it describes what usually happens, not a share or degree.
• Example: The staff are generally happy with the new schedule.

10. essentially

IPA: /ɪˈsenʃəli/ (US and UK)

Definition: At its core; basically.

• Usage: A related alternative. Use it when you mean “when you strip away the details,” not “most of it.”
• Example: The two plans are essentially the same.

11. overall

IPA: /ˌoʊvərˈɔːl/ US · /ˌəʊvərˈɔːl/ UK

Definition: Taking everything into account; on the whole.

• Usage: A related alternative for summing up. It gives a total verdict rather than measuring a share.
• Example: Overall, the experiment was a success.

12. in general

IPA: /ɪn ˈdʒenrəl/ (US and UK)

Definition: As a rule; for the most part.

• Usage: A related alternative describing the usual case. Conversational and flexible.
• Example: In general, prices rise in the summer months.

Degree Alternatives

13. greatly

IPA: /ˈɡreɪtli/ (US and UK)

Definition: Very much; to a large extent.

• Usage: Direct synonym for the degree sense. Simple and strong, but avoid it with proportions (“greatly students” is wrong).
• Example: The news greatly surprised everyone.

14. overwhelmingly

IPA: /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋli/ US · /ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋli/ UK

Definition: To a very great degree; decisively.

• Usage: A stronger cousin of largely, use it when “most” becomes “almost all, decisively.” Too strong for mild cases.
• Example: The proposal was overwhelmingly approved.

15. heavily

IPA: /ˈhevəli/ US · /ˈhevɪli/ UK

Definition: To a great degree; a lot.

• Usage: A related alternative, not an exact synonym. It fits contexts of reliance, effect, or investment (“relies heavily on”).
• Example: The farm relies heavily on seasonal workers.

16. broadly

IPA: /ˈbrɔːdli/ (US and UK)

Definition: Widely; in general terms.

• Usage: A related alternative describing scope rather than share. Good for “broadly speaking” summaries.
• Example: Broadly speaking, the reforms worked.

Extent Phrases

17. to a large extent

IPA: /tuː ə lɑːrdʒ ɪkˈstent/ US · /tuː ə lɑːdʒ ɪkˈstent/ UK

Definition: Very much; considerably.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, slightly formal. Excellent in essays and reports.
• Example: To a large extent, the outcome depended on funding.

18. to a great extent

IPA: /tuː ə ɡreɪt ɪkˈstent/ (US and UK)

Definition: Very much; considerably.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, interchangeable with “to a large extent” in most sentences.
• Example: The city has changed to a great extent in ten years.

19. to a great degree

IPA: /tuː ə ɡreɪt dɪˈɡriː/ (US and UK)

Definition: Very much; extremely.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym with a slightly stronger feel. Best for intensity rather than proportion.
• Example: Their opinions differ to a great degree.

20. in large measure

IPA: /ɪn lɑːrdʒ ˈmeʒər/ US · /ɪn lɑːdʒ ˈmeʒə/ UK

Definition: To a great extent; substantially.

• Usage: A formal phrasal synonym, common in speeches and serious writing.
• Example: The recovery was in large measure due to exports.

Whole-and-Part Phrases

21. for the most part

IPA: /fɔːr ðə moʊst pɑːrt/ US · /fɔː ðə məʊst pɑːt/ UK

Definition: Mostly; in general.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, conversational and natural. One of the best all-round swaps.
• Example: For the most part, the trip went smoothly.

22. on the whole

IPA: /ɑːn ðə hoʊl/ US · /ɒn ðə həʊl/ UK

Definition: All things considered; in general.

• Usage: A related alternative used for final verdicts after weighing details. Slightly British in flavor.
• Example: On the whole, I think we made the right choice.

23. in the main

IPA: /ɪn ðə meɪn/ (US and UK)

Definition: For the most part; mainly.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, more common in British English. A touch formal.
• Example: The committee was in the main supportive.

24. by and large

IPA: /baɪ ənd lɑːrdʒ/ US · /baɪ ənd lɑːdʒ/ UK

Definition: On the whole; generally speaking.

• Usage: An idiomatic synonym built on the same root. Conversational and widely understood.
• Example: By and large, customers were satisfied.

25. in large part

IPA: /ɪn lɑːrdʒ pɑːrt/ US · /ɪn lɑːdʒ pɑːt/ UK

Definition: To a great extent; mostly.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, especially natural with causes (“in large part because of”).
• Example: The garden survived in large part because of the rain.

26. in great part

IPA: /ɪn ɡreɪt pɑːrt/ US · /ɪn ɡreɪt pɑːt/ UK

Definition: To a great extent; largely.

• Usage: A direct phrasal synonym, slightly more formal than “in large part.”
• Example: Her success was in great part a matter of timing.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, Etymonline, Collins

Largely vs. Mostly vs. Mainly

These three overlap heavily, but they are not identical.

Word	Core feel	Best for	Example
largely	A big share or degree, slightly formal	Reports, essays, measured statements	The project was largely finished on time.
mostly	“Almost all of it,” plain and direct	Everyday speech, proportions	The seats were mostly empty.
mainly	The chief thing among several	Causes, reasons, priorities	We came mainly to see you.

Choose largely when you want a slightly formal tone, mostly for simple proportions, and mainly when ranking one factor above others.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, Collins

largely and Opposite/Paired Word Pairs

Word	Paired Word	Note
largely	slightly	Degree contrast: a lot vs. a little
largely	barely	“Largely finished” vs. “barely started”
largely	partially	Proportion contrast: most vs. some
largely	marginally	Formal contrast in reports
largely	minimally	“Minimally affected” is the natural opposite of “largely affected”

Opposites of largely all shrink the share or the degree: where largely says “most of it” or “to a great extent,” words like slightly, barely, and partially say “only a little.” Pick the opposite that matches your original sense, slightly for degree, partially for proportion.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com

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Common Word Partners of “largely”

Pattern	Common Partners	Example
largely + adjective	responsible, unaware, unknown, unchanged, unaffected, ignored	The village was largely unaffected by the floods.
largely + past participle	made up of, composed of, based on, driven by	The team is largely made up of volunteers.
largely + because / due to / thanks to	because of, due to, thanks to, as a result of	The event succeeded largely thanks to the volunteers.
remain / stay + largely + adjective	unchanged, the same, intact, silent	The old town remains largely unchanged.

Sources: Collins, Dictionary.com

Idiomatic Phrases Featuring “largely”

1. By and large

• Meaning: On the whole; generally speaking. (A true idiom built on the same root as largely.)
• Example: By and large, the new system works well.

2. For the most part

• Meaning: Mostly; in general. An established expression rather than a strict idiom.
• Example: For the most part, the audience stayed quiet.

3. Largely thanks to

• Meaning: Mainly because of someone’s efforts. An established expression for giving credit.
• Example: The festival ran smoothly, largely thanks to its organizers.

4. In large measure

• Meaning: To a great extent. A formal established expression.
• Example: The peace held, in large measure, because both sides kept talking.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, Collins

Word Formation of “largely”

Etymology & Structure

Largely is formed from the adjective large plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Large itself comes from Old French large (“broad, wide”), which traces back to Latin largus (“abundant, copious, generous”). The meaning shifted over centuries from “generous, abundant” to “big in size,” and the adverb largely kept the older “abundant, to a great extent” sense.

Date and History

The adjective large is recorded in English from around 1200. The adverb largely developed from it as the -ly form became the standard way to make adverbs. No single first-use date for largely itself is reliably documented in the sources consulted, so none is claimed here.

Word Class Variations

• Adjective: large (a large room)
• Adverb: largely (largely finished)
• Noun: largeness (the largeness of the task)
• Verb (related formation): enlarge (to make larger)

Sources: Etymonline, Merriam-Webster

Common Word-Choice Mistakes

• “a largely house” → “a large house.” (Largely is an adverb; it cannot modify a noun.)
• “largely of students” → “largely made up of students” or “mostly students.”
• “very largely responsible” → “largely responsible.” (Stacking intensifiers sounds clumsy.)
• “the largely majority” → “the large majority” or “the vast majority.”
• “largely all the guests” → “nearly all the guests” or “almost all the guests.”
• “largely unknowned” → “largely unknown.” (Unknown is already an adjective.)
• “largely and mainly finished” → pick one: “largely finished” or “mainly finished.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the closest synonym for largely?
Mainly and mostly are the closest everyday synonyms and work in nearly every sentence where largely fits.

2. What is the difference between largely and mostly?
Mostly stresses proportion (“almost all of it”), while largely can also stress degree or cause and sounds slightly more formal.

3. Is largely formal or informal?
It sits in the middle, natural in conversation but perfectly at home in reports, essays, and news writing.

4. Can largely describe people?
Yes. “The team was largely new this season” and “the crowd was largely students” are both natural.

5. Which is stronger: largely or mainly?
They are about equal. Overwhelmingly and substantially are stronger; slightly and partially are weaker.

6. What is a formal alternative to largely for academic writing?
Principally, substantially, and predominantly are the safest formal choices.

7. What is the opposite of largely?
Slightly, barely, minimally, and partially, depending on whether you mean degree or proportion.

8. Can largely start a sentence?
Yes, but it is more natural mid-sentence: “Largely, the results were positive” works, though “The results were largely positive” sounds smoother.

9. Is “largely due to” correct?
Yes, “largely due to” and “largely because of” are standard, well-established pairings.

10. What is the difference between largely and broadly?
Largely measures share or degree (“most of it”), while broadly describes scope (“in general terms, across a wide area”).

Conclusion

The safest everyday replacements for largely are mainly, mostly, and chiefly, they cover the proportion and cause senses in almost any sentence. For formal writing, principally, substantially, and predominantly carry the same meaning with more weight.

Context decides everything: use degree words like considerably and greatly when you mean “by a lot,” proportion words like mostly and for the most part when you mean “most of it,” and cause words like principally when you mean “for this main reason.” Getting this right matters as much as picking another word for previous with the right time sense.

The simplest test is substitution: drop your candidate into the sentence and read it aloud. If it keeps the original meaning, keep the word. That habit, the same one behind choosing another word for better instead of repeating yourself, is what turns adequate writing into precise writing.