lastly synonyms for essay

Synonyms for “Lastly”

As a student, you’re expected to write papers, essays, and reports that are clear, concise, and informative. One of the ways you can enhance your writing style and make it more engaging is by using synonyms for words you commonly use.

You might come across the word lastly in your academic reading materials or during lectures. But what does this term actually mean? In this article, we’ll explore the definition of lastly and give you a list of synonyms that you can use in your writing to avoid repetition and enhance your vocabulary.

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What does lastly mean?

Lastly is an adverb that’s commonly used to introduce the final point or idea in a list or sequence. When using lastly , it’s important to remember that it should only be used when you’re introducing the final point or idea in a sequence. If you’re introducing a point that’s not the final one, you should use words like next or furthermore instead. For example, in a presentation on the benefits of exercise, you may say, “Firstly, exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health. Secondly, it can boost your mood. Lastly, it can enhance your overall quality of life.” In this context, lastly is used to signal that you’re about to present your final point on the topic.

However, there are other ways to convey the same meaning as lastly without using the word itself. Maybe you’ve used lastly earlier in your text and don’t want to repeat it, or maybe you’d prefer something other than an -ly adverb. By using synonyms, you can vary your sentence structures and make your writing more engaging.

Synonyms for lastly

Here are 18 synonyms for lastly that you can use in your writing:

1 As a concluding remark

2 As a final point

3 As a final thought

5 Closing out

6 Conclusively

8 In conclusion

9 In summary

10 In the end

11 Last but not least

12 To bring it all together

13 To conclude

14 To draw a final conclusion

15 To finish off

16 To sum up

17 To wrap up

18 Ultimately

When to use a word other than lastly

You should choose the appropriate transitional word based on the context, tone , and purpose of your writing. For example, if you want to emphasize the finality of your point, ultimately or in conclusion may be more appropriate than lastly . On the other hand, if you want to highlight the importance of a point, last, but not least may be a better choice.

Lastly examples

• Lastly, I want to thank you for a wonderful party. Until next time!
• Johan dropped his backpack in a puddle, tripped on the sidewalk, and, lastly, forgot the key to the gate.
• The candidate is well qualified: They’re accomplished, eager to jump in, and, lastly, their colleagues speak kindly of them.
• Here are some reasons to sign up: first, you get books in the mail; second, you’re introduced to new types of literature; lastly, the book group only meets four times a year.

Lastly FAQs

Lastly is an adverb that is commonly used to introduce the final point or idea in a list or sequence. Lastly is used to signal that you’re about to present your concluding point on the topic.

It’s important to choose the appropriate transitional word based on the context and purpose of our writing. For example, if we want to emphasize the finality of a statement, ultimately or in conclusion may be more appropriate than lastly . When you use the same words and phrases repeatedly, your writing can become dull and repetitive. By incorporating different words and synonyms, you can keep your readers engaged and make your writing more effective.

What are some synonyms for lastly?

• As a final point
• In conclusion

This blog post was written with the support of Grammarly’s generative AI.

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10 Other Ways to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” (With Examples)

When writing essays or structuring arguments, many default to using  “firstly, secondly, thirdly”  to organize their points. While these terms are functional, they can become repetitive and lack sophistication. This overreliance on basic sequencing words can make our writing feel formulaic and unengaging .

Fortunately, numerous alternatives can add variety and nuance to our expression. This blog post will explore other ways to indicate sequence and progression in your writing, providing examples to illustrate their usage.

Expanding your collection of transitional phrases can enhance the flow and clarity of your arguments while keeping your readers interested throughout your piece.

What To Say Instead of “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

Here are ten alternative ways to say “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Thirdly”:

• First , Next , Then
• To begin with , Furthermore , In addition
• Initially , Subsequently , Finally
• In the first place , In the second place , In the third place
• First of all , After that , Lastly
• Primarily , Secondly , Lastly
• First and foremost , Afterward , Concurrently
• Beginning with , Following that , Lastly
• As a start , Continuing with , Concluding with
• The first point is , The second point is , The third point is

1. First, Next, Then

Using “First, Next, Then” is a straightforward way to organize points or steps in writing or speech. This sequence is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to convey the order of events or ideas clearly. It’s effective because it’s concise and familiar to most readers and listeners.

First , you need to gather all your materials. Next , make sure you’ve read the instructions thoroughly. Then , begin your experiment with confidence.

2. To begin with, Furthermore, In addition

“To begin with, Furthermore, In addition” adds a layer of formality and depth to your writing or speech. These phrases are often used in more detailed or persuasive writing where you must logically build on each point.

To begin with , it’s crucial to understand the basics of the theory. Furthermore , recent studies have shown its applications in modern technology. In addition , experts predict it will revolutionize the industry in the coming years.

3. Initially, Subsequently, Finally

“Initially, Subsequently, Finally” is a structured way to present ideas, particularly in a formal context such as academic writing or presentations. It suggests a clear progression of thoughts or events, guiding the reader or listener through a logical sequence.

Initially , the project was met with skepticism. Subsequently , after implementing the new strategy, we saw significant improvements. Finally , the results exceeded all expectations.

4. In the first place, In the second place, In the third place

Using “In the first place, In the second place, In the third place” emphasizes the importance of each point being made. This method is particularly useful in argumentative essays or speeches where you need to make strong, distinct arguments.

In the first place , the policy is unfair to low-income families. In the second place , it doesn’t address the root of the problem. In the third place , more effective alternatives could be implemented.

5. First of all, After that, Lastly

“First of all, After that, Lastly” effectively outlines steps or points in a more casual or conversational tone. It’s often used in speeches or less formal writing where you want to maintain clarity without sounding overly formal.

First of all , you should introduce yourself to the team. After that , take some time to familiarize yourself with the project. Lastly , don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need help.

6. Primarily, Secondly, Lastly

“Primarily, Secondly, Lastly” is a concise and clear way to prioritize points. It is particularly useful when you want to highlight the most important aspect first, followed by supporting points.

Primarily , our focus should be on improving customer satisfaction. Secondly , we need to address the feedback we’ve received. Lastly , we should develop a strategy for long-term engagement.

7. First and foremost, Afterward, Concurrently

Using “First and foremost, Afterward, Concurrently” emphasizes the primary point while suggesting that other actions or points follow or happen simultaneously. This is often used in strategic planning or discussions where timing and priority are key.

First and foremost , our priority is to secure funding for the project. Afterward , we can focus on expanding the team. Concurrently , we should be building relationships with potential partners.

8. Beginning with, Following that, Lastly

“Beginning with, Following that, Lastly” is a straightforward way to organize a sequence of events or ideas. It is often used in both formal and informal settings to ensure clarity and flow in communication.

Beginning with a brief overview of the problem, we will then explore possible solutions. Following that , the team will present their findings. Lastly , we will open the floor for questions.

9. As a start, Continuing with, Concluding with

“As a start, Continuing with, Concluding with” provides a natural flow to discussions or writings that aim to build upon each point progressively. It’s effective in persuasive or informative contexts.

As a start , we should address the immediate concerns. Continuing with our current plan, we can make gradual improvements. Concluding with a summary, we ensure everyone is on the same page.

10. The first point is, The second point is, The third point is

Using “The first point is, The second point is, The third point is” is a direct and clear method for listing points in a discussion or essay. It’s especially useful in debates or when you need to be explicit about your arguments.

The first point is that the new policy will increase productivity. The second point is that it will reduce costs. The third point is that it will improve employee satisfaction.

Related Posts:

12 Other Ways to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

Essays are hard to write, and it’s only natural for you to have questions.

Right now, you’re probably wondering what to say instead of “firstly, secondly, thirdly” to mix up your essay and academic writing.

Luckily, we’re here to help! This article will explore other words you can use to help keep things fresh.

Other Ways to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

• To start with
• One reason is
• Following from that
• The next reason is
• The last reason is

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “Firstly, secondly, thirdly” are correct and formal, though they are overused and can sound repetitive.
• Try combining “to begin, following from that, finally” to mix things up when listing multiple points as sentences.
• “To start with, after that, lastly” is great to use as another option that sounds more conversational.

There are plenty of great options, and it would help to know the best ways to combine them in your writing. Keep reading to learn more about the best formal and informal combinations to order your sentences.

You can also go to the final section to learn more about “firstly, secondly, thirdly.” We’ve written whether it’s correct to use them in your formal essays.

To Begin, Following On From That, Finally (Formal)

“To begin, following from that, finally” is one of the best formal synonyms you can use here. It works well in academic writing when you’re trying to list points in a specific order.

You’ll mainly find a use for this combination in essays when explaining your thought process. It clarifies an order for the reader, allowing them to follow your train of thought as they go.

“Firstly, secondly, thirdly” and “to begin, following on from that, finally” are both effective in essays. You can switch between the two to ensure you don’t use any repetitive words.

Here are some ordered examples to show you how it looks:

To begin , I would like to discuss the matters at hand. It is very important to go through these.

Following on from that , the variables must be clearly defined. This is integral to ensuring the experiment goes well.

Finally , the experiment can begin. Only then will the information be clear.

To Start With, After That, Lastly (Informal)

“To start with, after that, lastly” is an excellent synonym that works both formally and informally. Typically, you’ll use this one in essays to impress the reader and keep them engaged.

You don’t have to use this group of words in academic papers. That’s what makes it slightly less formal than the other options. Still, it’s a great variation and works well when writing to inform.

“To start with, after that, lastly” still gives you a great alternative to “firstly, secondly, thirdly.” While we don’t encourage it in fully academic papers (as there are better options), it still works well in many formal essays.

Check out some of these examples to give you more information:

To start with, I would like to demonstrate my methods. It’s good for us to be on the same page.

After that , there needs to be a brief window of downtime. Otherwise, the team might get overwhelmed.

Lastly , I’ll put everything to the test. That way, I’ll find out if my methods were successful.

Is It Correct to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”?

“Firstly, secondly, thirdly” is correct and formal. You can absolutely use the three words in academic writing to list things in order of importance.

Generally, “firstly, secondly, thirdly” is overused . Many writers use them when they can’t think of anything else to write. For that reason, it’s not always wise to include them in an essay , as they could make you sound repetitive .

Technically speaking, you could even continue the list based on how many points you want to raise. To do this, you would write:

However, things get a little jarring once you get past three points. While it still makes logical sense, you shouldn’t use “fourthly” and “fifthly” if you can avoid them.

You can also drop the “-ly” ending from any of the adverbs. The following are both correct:

• Firstly, I would like to discuss my plans.
• First , I would like to explore these options.

The “-ly” is not necessary to the sentence. However, you must stay consistent depending on which word you use.

You must either say “firstly, secondly, thirdly” or “first, second, third.” Don’t mix the two.

You can always come back here to remind yourself of the best ways to list your sentences. That way, you’ll always have something new and fresh to use in your writing.

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Synonyms of lastly

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Thesaurus Definition of lastly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incipiently
• primitively

Thesaurus Entries Near lastly

lastingness

last minute

Cite this Entry

“Lastly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lastly. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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Synonyms for lastly in English

Adverb / other.

• in conclusion
• to conclude
• by way of conclusion
• at long last
• furthermore
• as a conclusion
• additionally
• in the final analysis
• in other words
• in addition
• incidentally
• in any case
• definitively

The test sample lastly undergoes a final cleaning and rinsing step.

And, lastly , it must define the principles governing the way in which they are to be organised.

• particularly

10 Other Ways to Say “Last but Not Least”

It’s good to know of another way to say “last but not least.” While the phrase works in some instances, formal alternatives will always help to spice up your writing. This article will explore better options for how to say “last but not least,” including:

• As a final note
• Additionally
• As importantly
• It’s also worth noting
• Not to mention
• In addition
• One final point
• Most importantly

Other ways to say “last but not least” are “lastly,” “finally,” and “as a final note.” In terms of formal writing, these are the best options. It’s best to keep your formal writing as simple as possible, which is why these words work so much better.

When trying to figure out what to say instead of “last but not least,” “lastly” has got to be the first option. It’s the best choice because it’s an introductory adverb that modifies the importance of your “last” point.

It does not directly state the importance of the topic, unlike “last but not least.” However, the importance is usually implied through the context of your writing.

You can use “lastly” to demonstrate the last relevant point to the reader. You do not have to say “but not least” to clarify that the final point is still valid and relevant.

• Firstly, we needed to know the answers. Secondly, we couldn’t have been more wrong. Lastly, we told them what to expect next time.
• Lastly, I would like to mention that the errors have been corrected. They should no longer cause any issues for the rest of the experiments.

“Finally” is a great adverb to use that works almost identically to “lastly.” You should use it when making a “final” point and want to share some information with the reader.

It always relates to the last point on the list. “Final” means “last.” It does not express the importance of the last point, but it is implied.

“Finally” suggests that the “final” point made has just as much importance as the other points before it.

• Finally, someone has mentioned something that will allow us to explore different methods. It’s time to look into the alternatives.
• And finally, we come to the most important factor. We need to be able to control the rate of corrosion before it ruins more livelihoods.

3. As a Final Note

“As a final note” encourages the reader to look into the final piece of information you give them in your writing. It demonstrates that the “note” is just as important as whatever else you include in your writing.

You can use this to show that no other information is coming. The “final note” is the “last” piece of information. It’s also “not the least” important piece of information, showing that the reader should still pay attention to it.

• As a final note, I think it’s wise to look into the best ways to handle attrition. If we don’t, we could be dealing with more angry residents.
• She wanted to talk about that as a final note. It seemed important to her, and I wanted to respect her wishes and listen up.

4. Additionally

“Additionally” is a great term to use in your writing when adding more points. It doesn’t always come at the end of a list, though.

You can use “additionally” to “add” further information to a list and show that it’s important enough for the reader to take note of. You should use this when you have more information to share without expressly telling them which piece is the most important.

“Additionally” is a great alternative for “last but not least” because it allows you to add information relevant to your writing. You do not need to create a ranking system based on importance. The reader will assume that every “additional” piece of information is just as important as the last.

• We could have been the pioneers. Additionally, we only needed to commit a few more weeks to the project before completing it.
• I knew what I had to do. Additionally, I found a way to get it done effectively. Unfortunately, it took a bit too long.

5. As Importantly

“As importantly” helps you to establish the importance of your final point in your writing. Including this is good when you want to show equal levels of “importance” amongst multiple things within a list.

“As” is used here as a comparative term. It shows that whatever clause comes after “as importantly” is just as important as the previous points raised.

It’s not always appropriate to include “as importantly” as an introductory clause. It can come across as a bit jarring if you don’t use it correctly.

• This was one of the best approaches. As importantly, someone highlighted that we could get a lot of it done much quicker.
• As importantly, the meeting showed us what the rest of the employees wanted. That helped to clear up a few issues.

6. It’s Also Worth Noting

“It’s also worth noting” is a great synonym to show the importance of something related to the points that came before it. “Worth noting” shows that the reader should pay attention to your point.

“Also” is included here to show that the final point you’re raising is an important one. It should be viewed similarly to the points that came before it. This encourages the reader to pay attention to it equally rather than assuming the earlier points were more important or useful.

• It’s also worth noting that someone had already proposed the new changes. We weren’t the first people to suggest them.
• It could happen to anyone. It’s also worth noting that you are not to blame for the errors during your tenure.

7. Not to Mention

“Not to mention” means that something is as important as other things and shouldn’t need to be “mentioned” to the reader. It shows that something should be obvious and important, but you must “mention” it anyway.

“Not to” comes at the start of this phrase to remind the reader that you didn’t need to clarify the importance of the final point. It should already be clear enough through the context.

Still, “not to mention” has plenty of written uses. Sometimes, you just need to remind the reader of the importance of something to ensure they’re on the same page as you.

• I only had one thing to do. Not to mention, it was the most important thing to get the experiment correct. They relied on me.
• She needed more time to get it done. Not to mention, the boss was telling them all that she was incompetent and unreliable.

8. In Addition

“In addition” is a great way to add a final touch to your writing. You should use it when adding a final point to your writing, which usually follows a similar level of importance to the last point.

Technically, “in addition” doesn’t relate to the “last” point. You may add further points after including “in addition” as an introductory clause. However, you can use it at the end of a list to add one final piece of detail.

• In addition, I needed to fix the dependent variables before carrying out the tests. I didn’t know the best way to go about that.
• You have to believe in yourself. In addition, you have to find other people willing to support you and show you that it’s possible.

9. One Final Point

“One final point” shows that you are making one last point which should be deemed just as important as the others. It lets the reader know that you are not trying to rank the importance of your list.

When making a list, there will be a certain order in how you write things.

This cannot be avoided, as 1, 2, and 3 all come after each other. Does this mean that 3 is less important than 1? No, it doesn’t. It just means it comes at the end of the list as “one final point.”

• It would be wise to listen to our forefathers. One final point is that we need to work on our communication skills in the future.
• One final point is that this isn’t the only solution to an otherwise difficult problem. We have a few ways to go about this.

10. Most Importantly

“Most importantly” is a clear synonym that works here. It shows the reader that the final point is the most important one of all the others. It almost works in the other direction to “last but not least.”

“Last but not least” suggests that a point comes at the end but is just as important as the others.

“Most importantly” suggests that a point comes at the end but is the most important one to consider. There’s a slight difference here, so you need to ensure you are talking about a very important point before using this one.

• I needed to know the information to help them. Most importantly, they needed to reveal the information before it was too late.
• We wanted to gather all the resources. Most importantly, we wanted to check to see that everyone was on the same page.
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