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The best other word for ultimately depends on what it is doing in your sentence. If it means in the end, after a process, use eventually, in the end, finally or in the long run. If it means at the most basic level, use fundamentally, essentially, basically or at heart. If it is about who decides or who answers for something, as in “the manager is ultimately responsible”, the replacement is a phrase such as has the final say or in the final analysis.
The three senses are easy to mix up, and a synonym that fits one can be wrong for another: eventually is fine in “the company ultimately closed”, but odd in “the argument is ultimately about money”. The sections below take each sense in turn, with an example for every word, then cover the common mistakes, a before-and-after paragraph and a short practice set.
Quick picker
| Ultimately means… | Words to try | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in the end, after a process or delay | eventually, in the end, finally, at last | After three failed attempts, she eventually passed the driving test. |
| over a long period, looking far ahead | in the long run, in the long term, over time | Cheap shoes cost more in the long run. |
| at the most basic level | fundamentally, essentially, basically, at heart, at root | The dispute is fundamentally about who owns the land. |
| when everything has been weighed | in the final analysis, when all is said and done, all things considered | All things considered, the trip was worth the cost. |
| having the final responsibility or authority | has the final say, is answerable for, in the last resort | The head teacher has the final say on exclusions. |
| as the end result of a chain of causes | in the end, as a result, finally | The delay in the end cost the team its sponsor. |
When ultimately means “in the end”
This is the most common use: something happens after a series of steps, a wait or a struggle. “The project ultimately failed” tells the reader that it did not fail at once; there was a story before the result.
- Eventually is the closest everyday match. It stresses the time it took. The bus eventually arrived, forty minutes late.
- In the end is relaxed and works in speech and writing alike. We argued about the name for weeks, but in the end we kept the first one.
- Finally adds a sense of relief or of the last item in a series. The rain finally stopped at six. Be careful: at the start of a paragraph, “Finally,” usually means “my last point is”, not “in the end”.
- At last is stronger than finally and almost always carries relief or impatience. At last, the results were posted.
- In the long run and in the long term look forward rather than back. They suit predictions and advice. Learning to touch-type saves hours in the long run.
- Over time describes a gradual change rather than a single result. Over time, the path wore into the grass.
If the sentence is about one result at the end of a process, eventually or in the end is nearly always right. If it is about a trend or a forecast, in the long run or over time fits better.
When ultimately means “at the most basic level”
Here ultimately is not about time at all. In “Ultimately, this is a question of trust”, the writer is stripping an issue down to its core. Time words such as eventually do not work in this sense.
- Fundamentally is the most precise swap and suits formal writing. The two plans are fundamentally different.
- Essentially means “in its essential nature” and is a little softer. The new rule is essentially a ban on phones in class.
- Basically is conversational. It is fine in speech and informal writing, but in an essay it can sound like filler. Basically, the film is a love story with spaceships.
- At heart works well for people and for ideas with an emotional core. At heart, he is a shy man who learned to perform.
- At root and at bottom point to an underlying cause. At root, the problem is a lack of funding.
- Above all picks out the most important point rather than the deepest one. Above all, the report should be easy to read.
When ultimately is about final responsibility
A third use names who decides, or who answers for the outcome: “The pilot is ultimately responsible for the safety of the aircraft.” Single-word swaps rarely work here, so rephrase.
- has the final say: The editor has the final say on headlines.
- has the last word: On medical questions, the doctor has the last word.
- is answerable for or is accountable for: The board is accountable for the charity’s spending.
- in the final analysis, for a judgment that comes after weighing everything: In the final analysis, the decision rests with the voters.
- in the last resort (British usage more than American), for the point where every other option has run out: In the last resort, the court can order a sale.
“Ultimately responsible” is a set phrase in law, management and safety writing. In a contract or policy, keep it: changing it to “finally responsible” or “basically responsible” would change, or blur, what is being promised.
Ultimately vs eventually
The two overlap, but they are not twins.
| eventually | ultimately | |
|---|---|---|
| Main idea | after a long time or a delay | as the final result, or at the most basic level |
| Can mean “fundamentally”? | No | Yes: ultimately a question of trust |
| Can mean “with final authority”? | No | Yes: ultimately responsible |
| Register | everyday | a little more formal |
| Example | The parcel eventually turned up in the neighbour’s shed. | The plan ultimately depends on the weather. |
A quick test: if you can add “after a while” without changing the meaning, eventually will work. If you could add “when you get down to it”, you need fundamentally or essentially instead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ultimately as filler. Many essays open their last paragraph with “Ultimately,” out of habit. If the sentence reads the same without it, cut it. If you need a signal that the essay is closing, our list of phrases for closing an essay is built for that job.
- A time word where the sense is “at bottom”. “The debate is eventually about money” is wrong; the debate does not become about money later. Use fundamentally or at heart.
- Eventually as “possibly”. Speakers of Spanish, French, German and Italian often use eventually to mean “possibly” or “if needed”, because eventualmente, éventuellement, eventuell and eventualmente mean that. In English, eventually only means “in the end”. “We will eventually send you a refund” promises a refund later; it does not mean “we may send one”.
- Ultimate vs ultimately. Ultimate is the adjective (the ultimate goal); ultimately is the adverb (ultimately, the goal is…). In casual use ultimate also means “best” (the ultimate burger), a sense ultimately does not have.
- Stacking. “Ultimately, in the end, the result was a draw” says the same thing twice. Pick one.
Before and after
Before: Ultimately, the town council ultimately rejected the plan. The plan was ultimately a car park with some trees. Ultimately, residents will ultimately pay for whatever is built.
After: After two public meetings, the town council rejected the plan. At heart, it was a car park with a few trees added. Whatever is built in its place, residents will pay for it in the long run.
The rewrite keeps all three ideas: a result after a process (after two public meetings), the core of the plan (at heart) and a cost spread over time (in the long run). Each one now has a word that says exactly which.
Practice
Replace ultimately in each sentence with the word or phrase that fits its meaning best.
- After months of rehearsals, the play ultimately opened in March.
- The argument is ultimately about who gets the credit.
- The captain is ultimately responsible for the crew.
- Exercising regularly will ultimately save you money on doctor’s bills.
- Ultimately, she is a kind person, even when she sounds harsh.
- When every factor is weighed, the cheaper school is ultimately the better choice.
Answers: 1. eventually / in the end. 2. fundamentally / essentially. 3. is accountable for / has the final say over (rephrase: “The captain answers for the crew”). 4. in the long run. 5. At heart. 6. All things considered (or “in the final analysis”) at the start of the sentence.
Quick answers
What is a formal word for ultimately?
Fundamentally for “at the most basic level”, and in the final analysis for a judgment after weighing everything. For “in the end”, ultimately is already formal; eventually is the neutral choice.
What is an informal word for ultimately?
In the end, basically or at the end of the day. The last one is a common spoken idiom, but it is a worn phrase, so keep it out of essays.
Can I start a sentence with ultimately?
Yes. “Ultimately, the choice is yours” is correct, with a comma after it. Just make sure it adds meaning rather than marking time.
What is another word for “ultimately responsible”?
Accountable, answerable, or a rephrase such as has the final say. In legal or policy writing, keep ultimately responsible as it is.
What is the opposite of ultimately?
For the time sense: initially, at first or immediately. For the “at bottom” sense: superficially or on the surface.
For more everyday words with sharper alternatives, see another word for overall, another word for as a result, another word for however and another word for significant. For the figures of speech writers use to give an idea weight, start with the figurative language guide.