pretty much

Idioms  

1. Almost, nearly, approximately, as in Our homework was pretty much finished. This adverbial usage differs from the use of pretty for “considerable” (as in pretty penny). [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

"Production of ozone-depleting substances has pretty much ceased around the world except for this one use, which is when you have a chemical you convert into something else."

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

“What’s cool about North Salem and the whole Westchester area is everyone pretty much keeps to themselves, and I really don’t get bothered up there,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

And all else is pretty much equal over such a short span: Cold fusion wasn’t perfected, cancer wasn’t cured and the economy didn’t leap into a faster gear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Rosenberg also cites the rally in riskier assets as a sign the market thinks the war is pretty much over.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

After all, I told myself, these boys had pretty much ignored me before this morning, so maybe they’d just ignore me again from now on.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

Related Words

• a little
• considerably
• fairly
• kind of
• moderately
• quite
• rather
• reasonably
• somewhat
• very