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Definitions

by and large

ADJECTIVE
en masse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altogether
WEAK
all in all all together as a body as a group as a whole as one bodily ensemble generally in a body in a group in a mass jointly on the whole together
Antonyms
WEAK
one at a time singly
ADVERB
altogether
Synonyms
STRONGEST
en masse generally
STRONG
all
WEAK
all in all all things considered all told bodily collectively conjointly everything considered everything included for the most part in all in sum in toto on the whole taken together
Antonyms
WEAK
incompletely partly
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 as a rule 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 a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual 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 as a rule 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
routinely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commonly consistently customarily frequently generally habitually normally occasionally often ordinarily regularly sometimes typically
WEAK
as a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual 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 a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual 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 a rule as is the custom as is usual as usual 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.

Despite the fact that, by and large, Americans have never been richer External link, consumer sentiment is in the doldrums.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

But by and large, Goolsbee said, consumer-spending growth and modest unemployment suggest the economy has held up well, making inflation the appropriate target of the Fed’s attention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

“We have written the networks letters, and the response, by and large, has been defensive as they attempt to justify what is unjustifiable,” Jackson said at the news conference.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Members of the president's party, by and large, support the legislation too.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

But by and large the animals enjoyed these celebrations.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell