ultimately

adverb

ul·​ti·​mate·​ly ˈəl-tə-mət-lē How to pronounce ultimately (audio)
Synonyms of ultimately
1
: in the end : fundamentally
the word comes ultimately from Latin
2
: eventually
ultimately, they agreed

Synonyms of ultimately

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Examples of ultimately in a Sentence

The changes ultimately proved to be unnecessary. Ultimately, it's a question of who is more popular.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But what begins as a bold and daring attempt to broach progressive issues in a notoriously conservative society ultimately loses its nerve, acquiescing to a number of eyebrow-raising narrative compromises. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Not entirely uneventful, however, as UCLA forced another fumble and picked off Raiola again, ultimately leading coach Dan Lanning to go with Thomas to begin the fourth quarter. — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 That's a painstaking process involving dozens of other experts that will ultimately set the stage for the kind of larger, multisite trials that can get at some fundamental questions for scientists and the public. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 Wallace lingered in the car for a few minutes once slowing to a stop, though — long enough for health workers to unload a stretcher that Wallace ultimately didn’t use. — Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ultimately

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultimately was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

ultimate line
ultimately
ultimate mortality table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ultimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimately. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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