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Synonyms

initially

American  
[ih-nish-uh-lee] / ɪˈnɪʃ ə li /

adverb

  1. happening first; at the start; in the beginning.

    Although natural gas cars cost a bit more initially, savings from lower fuel costs can help make up the difference.

    The foundation initially funded only educational programs, but later also awarded grants for emotional and social support.

Etymology

Origin of initially

initial ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Investors should proceed as if regional energy supply disruptions will definitely occur, even if the physical damage initially seems limited.

From Barron's

While they initially didn't take it seriously, just three weeks later, they had bought a mobile home and were packing their bags ready to leave their Hereford homes for a new life in Wales.

From BBC

At the least, markets are likely to be highly volatile initially.

From Barron's

At the least, markets are likely to be highly volatile initially.

From Barron's

Determined to survive, Iran might initially hunker down or seek to draw out any conflict.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.