1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primary concern for many house hunters is the asking price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the movie's primary screenwriter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in preliminary
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
a few minutes of primary instruction in the use of our diving gear before we actually got into the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primary
The first standoff was overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning at an Independence home in the 700 block of Brookside Avenue, which police believe to be Sanchez-Munoz’ primary residence.
—
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
As a result, filé and okra became primary thickeners of the dish that became known as gumbo.
—Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026
Heavy rainfall and the potential for life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazards with this system, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 June 2026
There are two primary measurements of concern.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
As a result, filé and okra became primary thickeners of the dish that became known as gumbo.
—Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026
Heavy rainfall and the potential for life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazards with this system, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 June 2026
There are two primary measurements of concern.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The fact that every single main cast member is on the ballot suggests that HBO made sure all main cast members were submitted and then allowed recurring performers to submit themselves.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
-
However, that change requires the Green Mountain Care Board, the state's main healthcare regulator, to go through a rulemaking process, which would not be finalized by the start of the coming hospital fiscal year in October, delaying the pricing reform implementation.—
OLIVIA GIEGER VTDigger,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Ruled by Mars, Aries is direct, impulsive and eager to charge ahead, while Cancer prefers to observe, process and make sure the vibes feel safe.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
-
These devices are a direct answer to that problem.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 24,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
He's partnered with Ridge (the maker of high-tech wallets, power banks and phone cases), serving as its chief creative partner and releasing a brand collection of chargers, suitcases and keychains.—
Steven Bertoni,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
Former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigator Ryan Kelly was fired from his position as chief inspector for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office on June 8, the agency confirmed to Fox News Digital.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Adjective
-
Becchina said preliminary information indicated the man and another person had been arguing in an apartment.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
-
Netanyahu has remained quiet publicly about the preliminary deal.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, the Warriors just injected a heavy dose of immediate reality into Chase Center.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
-
On Tuesday, Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez sent an email to city officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, requesting immediate support for unhoused residents in the area.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
This decision was made with the best interests of our students and families as the foremost priority, ensuring that Chartiers Valley students continue to receive safe, reliable, and consistent transportation to and from school.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
-
Kuperwasser, who served in the Israeli military for 35 years, believes that Hezbollah’s foremost goal is to return to the south along with the civilian population, a possibility repeatedly ruled out by Israel’s high command.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
Separate preparatory meetings with each side are set to take place in Doha this week, ahead of the official signing in Switzerland and the start of the technical talks, the diplomat said.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
This includes increasing college preparatory course availability at high schools, making financial aid systems easier to navigate, and recruiting and retaining Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty members.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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