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
Pulte said Cook had represented that each property would be used as her primary residence — a declaration that often results in more favorable loan terms.
—
Scott Horsley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to their Wyoming estate, the couple also owns a waterfront residence in Florida that serves as their primary residence.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
And much of this inventory—which cannot be efficiently absorbed by the primary sales channel—is now flowing into the secondary market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Scott Horsley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to their Wyoming estate, the couple also owns a waterfront residence in Florida that serves as their primary residence.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
And much of this inventory—which cannot be efficiently absorbed by the primary sales channel—is now flowing into the secondary market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
-
His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The county’s Board of Supervisors voted 20-to-8 to send the proposal to the county’s law enforcement committee for review rather than taking immediate action on it.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
There's an immediate need in Nashville for blood donations to supply area hospitals.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Lea Anne Welsh, chief operating officer of Korman Communities, which owns AVE, has seen a significant shift over the last five years in their flexible-stay furnished apartments.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Trump sees himself as the ‘chief law enforcement officer’ Vice President JD Vance denied in a television interview that Bolton was being targeted because of his criticism of Trump.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The most plausible near-term outcomes comprise either a narrowed case that proceeds to discovery or a dismissal with leave to amend, rather than a sweeping preliminary injunction that rips ChatGPT out of iOS.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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In mid-August, VOA plaintiffs asked Lamberth to hold Lake in contempt for failing to comply with the preliminary injunction.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Product decisions are guided by customer needs, but there is no direct customer control over individual features.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Everton’s direct style will require time to settle into, and his defensive workload will increase but, in attack, Dibling’s prowess in one-on-one situations should help him and the team.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Danny Ertel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There was also the dismantling of a temporary stand, plus the all-important deactivation of a live electric cable underneath the old Kop, as preparatory work continues ahead of the new 7,500-capacity stand starting to go up, on schedule, in the autumn.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Prevention of these atrocities is a faraway goal with little to no preparatory work being undertaken by States.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Marilyn Miller Language Academy is an elementary school with 526 students and a predominant Hispanic population of 69%, according to state data from the 2023-24 school year, the latest available.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Aug. 2025
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May or May Not Support Healthy Weight The predominant type of saturated fat in coconut oil is medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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