The best finally synonym depends on which job finally is doing: at last and eventually mark the end of a wait, lastly and in conclusion mark the final item in a list or essay, and once and for all marks something settled for good.
Many writers use finally for all three jobs, and readers can lose track. Hunting for another word for finally? This page pins each replacement to a single job, alongside a tone scale, rewrites and the words that open a sequence instead of closing it.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
at last, eventually, lastly, in the end, ultimatelyPart of speech
Adverb, also a transition wordMost formal
in conclusion, ultimately, conclusivelyMost casual
about time, in the endStrongest relief
at long lastAntonyms
firstly, initially, to begin withWatch out
Eventually means at some later point. It does not mean possibly, as similar words do in some other languages.
A finally synonym for each of its three jobs
| Job | Swap with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A wait is over | at last, eventually, in the end | The bus came at last. |
| Last item in a list | lastly, last of all, in conclusion | Lastly, check your spelling. |
| Settled for good | once and for all, conclusively | The test proved it conclusively. |
The first job carries feeling, often relief or impatience. The second is purely structural. The third is about certainty.
At last to in conclusion: tone and position
Those five swatches slide from relaxed talk toward polished prose. At last sounds warm and a little emotional. In the end feels easygoing and often implies plans shifted before the outcome. Eventually stresses a long stretch of time. Lastly belongs to lists and instructions. In conclusion is the most formal and should open only the closing paragraph of an essay or talk.
Position matters too. Lastly and in conclusion open their sentence, followed by a comma. At last and eventually move freely, leading or trailing the clause: "Eventually, she agreed" or "She agreed eventually."
Before and after swaps
- Finally, the package arrived becomes at long last, the package arrived.
- He finally found a job becomes he eventually found a job.
- Finally, I want to thank my parents becomes lastly, I want to thank my parents.
- Finally, the evidence shows becomes ultimately, the evidence shows.
- Let us finally settle this becomes let us settle this once and for all.
- You finally called becomes about time you called (teasing, informal).
A project update reads: "The client finally approved the design." Writing "The client approved the design after three rounds of revisions" gives the same sense of a long wait without sounding irritated.
Essays: closing a paragraph versus closing the paper
Teachers often see finally used for the last body point and then in conclusion for the closing paragraph. That is correct, but consider variety. For the last supporting point, lastly, a final reason or most importantly work. For the summary, in conclusion, to sum up or overall fit. For the deepest point, ultimately signals that this is the underlying truth.
Partners for each stage of an argument are collected under linking words.
Traps with finally and its look-alikes
Lastly cannot replace finally after a wait: "the rain lastly stopped" is wrong. Eventually is not a synonym for possibly. Final is an adjective, so "the final step" works but "final, I agree" does not. Ultimately means fundamentally or in the end, but not last in a list of tasks. At the end needs of something, while in the end stands alone.
Opening words: the opposite of finally
Since finally closes a sequence, its antonyms open one. Firstly and first start lists. Initially and at first describe how things began before a change. To begin with is friendly and spoken. See first synonyms for more, and pair them with next and then for the middle steps.
- At first the plan seemed simple, but in the end it took a year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I avoid repeating finally in an essay?
Use lastly or a final point for the last body paragraph, and in conclusion or to sum up for the closing paragraph. Ultimately works when you state the deepest reason.
Is lastly the same as finally?
Only for lists. Lastly marks the last item, but it cannot describe the end of a wait, so the train lastly arrived is incorrect.
Which finally replacements sound most formal?
In conclusion, ultimately and conclusively are the most formal choices. At length is formal but sounds old-fashioned to many readers.
What does at long last mean?
It means finally, after an especially long or frustrating wait. It adds more emotion than at last.
What is the antonym of finally?
Firstly, initially, at first and to begin with all open a sequence instead of closing it.
Can eventually replace finally?
Yes, when the point is that something happened after a long time. Eventually is calmer and less emotional than finally.