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Definitions

as a rule

ADVERB
commonly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frequently generally more often than not ordinarily regularly
WEAK
by ordinary
Antonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently rarely seldom
WEAK
uncommonly unusually
ADVERB
frequently
Synonyms
STRONGEST
again and again generally intermittently many times often periodically regularly time and again usually
STRONG
oft oftentimes ofttimes
WEAK
at regular intervals at short intervals at times by ordinary customarily every now and then habitually in many instances in quick succession many a time much not infrequently not seldom ordinarily over and over recurrently spasmodically successively thick and fast very often
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rarely seldom
WEAK
infrequently not much uncommonly
ADVERB
generally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
broadly commonly customarily largely mostly normally ordinarily publicly roughly typically universally usually widely
WEAK
about all in all almost always altogether approximately by and large chiefly conventionally en masse extensively for the most part habitually on average on the whole overall popularly practically predominantly primarily principally regularly roundly thereabouts
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rarely sometimes unusually
WEAK
exactly particularly seldom specifically
ADVERB
habitually
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly customarily
WEAK
as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large consistently frequently generally in the main mainly more often than not most often mostly naturally normally now and again now and then occasionally oft
ADVERB
largely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
broadly chiefly generally mostly predominantly principally widely
WEAK
abundantly by and large commodiously comprehensively considerably copiously expansively extensively extravagantly generously grandly immoderately imposingly in a big way in a grand manner lavishly liberally magnificently mainly on a large scale overall primarily prodigally prodigiously voluminously
ADVERB
mostly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chiefly essentially frequently largely often particularly predominantly principally regularly usually
WEAK
above all almost entirely customarily for the most part in many instances many times most often on the whole overall primarily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently rarely seldom
ADVERB
normally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly ordinarily regularly typically
WEAK
habitually
Antonyms
WEAK
abnormally never
ADVERB
ordinarily
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly customarily generally normally regularly
WEAK
frequently habitually in general
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rarely
WEAK
infrequently sometimes
ADVERB
routinely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly consistently customarily frequently generally habitually normally occasionally often ordinarily regularly sometimes typically
WEAK
as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large in the main mainly more often than not most often mostly naturally now and again now and then on the whole once and again per usual
Antonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly
ADVERB
typically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly consistently customarily frequently generally mostly naturally normally occasionally often ordinarily regularly routinely sometimes
WEAK
as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large habitually in the main mainly more often than not most often now and again now and then on the whole once and again per usual
Antonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly
ADVERB
usually
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly consistently customarily frequently generally mostly normally occasionally ordinarily regularly routinely sometimes
WEAK
as is the custom as is usual as usual by and large habitually in the main mainly more often than not most often now and again now and then on the whole once and again
Antonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently never rarely seldom sometimes uncommonly
WEAK
exceptionally unusually

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

First of all, as a rule, Mark and I are not generally for throwing sandwiches.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2025

Or to honesty, as a rule, though he insists that this account of his disastrous Venetian sojourn is genuine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

"This is surprising, as unlike DNA, which as a rule never changes, most RNA molecules are extremely short-lived and are constantly being exchanged," Toda explains.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2024

"At the same time, obviously, as a rule of law country, we need to emphasise that India needs to work with Canada to ensure that we get the full facts of this matter," he said.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2023

Penelope enjoyed poetry as a rule, but this volume was too peculiar to easily make sense of.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood