Found 17 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
After waiting (relief)
Nuance: Relief
Best for relief after waiting.
Boring
Finally, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Better
At last, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
After time passed
Nuance: Time passed
Means after some time; not always the last step.
Boring
Finally, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Better
Eventually, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Final result (outcome)
Nuance: Outcome
Good for the final outcome.
Boring
Finally, our plan worked because we practiced.
Better
In the end, our plan worked because we practiced.
Final point in a list
Nuance: Last step
Friendly and clear.
Boring
Finally, we cleaned up our materials and pushed in our chairs.
Better
Last of all, we cleaned up our materials and pushed in our chairs.
Final point in a list
Nuance: Final step
Great for steps in an essay.
Boring
Finally, we edited our draft to fix small mistakes.
Better
Lastly, we edited our draft to fix small mistakes.
Final step (directions)
Nuance: Wrap-up
Helpful in instructions.
Boring
Finally, we checked our answers one more time.
Better
To finish, we checked our answers one more time.
Steps (clear + formal)
Nuance: Last step
Very clear for procedures.
Boring
Finally, we checked our answers one more time.
Better
As a final step, we checked our answers one more time.
After waiting (dramatic)
Nuance: Relief
More dramatic than at last.
Boring
Finally, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Better
At long last, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Ending a paragraph (summary)
Nuance: Wrap-up
Good when you are summarizing key points.
Boring
Finally, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Better
In summary, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Ending a paragraph (formal)
Nuance: Conclusion
Slightly more formal than to wrap up.
Boring
Finally, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Better
To conclude, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Ending a paragraph
Nuance: Conclusion
Friendly academic closer.
Boring
Finally, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Better
To wrap up, I believe recycling should be a school rule.
Final result (formal-ish)
Nuance: Outcome
More formal than in the end.
Boring
Finally, our plan worked because we practiced.
Better
Ultimately, our plan worked because we practiced.
Ending a speech/letter
Nuance: Polite finish
Great for speeches and letters.
Boring
Finally, I want to thank everyone who helped with the project.
Better
In closing, I want to thank everyone who helped with the project.
After time (formal)
Nuance: Time passed
Formal way to say eventually.
Boring
Finally, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Better
In due course, the bus arrived and we climbed aboard.
Final judgment (very formal)
Nuance: Judgment
Very formal; use sparingly.
Boring
Finally, our plan worked because we practiced.
Better
In the final analysis, our plan worked because we practiced.
Ending (formal phrase)
Nuance: Closing
Formal; good for presentations.
Boring
Finally, I want to thank everyone who helped with the project.
Better
To bring it to a close, I want to thank everyone who helped with the project.
Final result (idiom)
Nuance: Final outcome
Idiomatic; good in narratives.
Boring
Finally, our plan worked because we practiced.
Better
When all was said and done, our plan worked because we practiced.