1
: most importantly : principally, especially
Synonyms
Examples of chiefly in a Sentence
Adverb
our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the end of the Cold War, domestic issues -- chiefly the economy -- have reigned supreme in presidential elections, experts said, with foreign imbroglios rarely notching a spot in polls as a top issue.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
On the humanitarian side, the process is run chiefly by a dedicated unit of the United Nations, through which U.N. agencies and other organizations submit the coordinates of humanitarian sites such as offices, clinics, warehouses and guesthouses.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other opposition came from foreign countries, chiefly Japan, the Soviet Union and the European bloc, which argued that the scientific link between CFCs and ozone depletion was not proved.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Drops were recorded in both single-family homes — most of which tend to be for sale — as well as multifamily homes — which are chiefly rentals.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The gig, dubbed Digital Dawn by its organizers, was intended as an IRL showcase for Seoul’s new generation of indie artists, who until then had chiefly shared their work on the internet.
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Legislation introduced during multiple sessions of Congress have aimed to restrict the sale of location data, chiefly to prevent US law enforcement and intelligence agencies from tracking Americans without a warrant.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Although the Virginia House of Delegates gave the idea initial approval, the proposal never passed the Senate, thanks chiefly to a powerful Democratic senator who opposed it, and was left out of the state’s budget.
—Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024
That includes chiefly masks of various types and hand-washing.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023
After the British arrived, Tu, a scion of a chiefly family on Tahiti, dealt cleverly with the newcomers.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2022
Known to Samoans by her chiefly title of Fiame, the daughter of the country's original prime minister served as Samoa's first female cabinet minister from 1991 to 2006.
—Erin Spencer, Forbes, 19 May 2021
Adverb
Catholic Charities of Louisville is now chiefly operating out of the Catholic Charities Center at 435 E. Broadway.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the end of the Cold War, domestic issues -- chiefly the economy -- have reigned supreme in presidential elections, experts said, with foreign imbroglios rarely notching a spot in polls as a top issue.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
On the humanitarian side, the process is run chiefly by a dedicated unit of the United Nations, through which U.N. agencies and other organizations submit the coordinates of humanitarian sites such as offices, clinics, warehouses and guesthouses.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other opposition came from foreign countries, chiefly Japan, the Soviet Union and the European bloc, which argued that the scientific link between CFCs and ozone depletion was not proved.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Drops were recorded in both single-family homes — most of which tend to be for sale — as well as multifamily homes — which are chiefly rentals.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The gig, dubbed Digital Dawn by its organizers, was intended as an IRL showcase for Seoul’s new generation of indie artists, who until then had chiefly shared their work on the internet.
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Legislation introduced during multiple sessions of Congress have aimed to restrict the sale of location data, chiefly to prevent US law enforcement and intelligence agencies from tracking Americans without a warrant.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Although the Virginia House of Delegates gave the idea initial approval, the proposal never passed the Senate, thanks chiefly to a powerful Democratic senator who opposed it, and was left out of the state’s budget.
—Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The building materials, chiefly wood, oolite limestone and concrete with no steel supports, were crumbling.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024
That includes chiefly masks of various types and hand-washing.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023
After the British arrived, Tu, a scion of a chiefly family on Tahiti, dealt cleverly with the newcomers.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2022
Known to Samoans by her chiefly title of Fiame, the daughter of the country's original prime minister served as Samoa's first female cabinet minister from 1991 to 2006.
—Erin Spencer, Forbes, 19 May 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chiefly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chiefly
Cite this Entry
“Chiefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiefly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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