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
Here's how to track snowplows in Michigan In Wayne County, road-clearing trucks first prioritize freeways, then move to county primary and secondary roads, subdivisions and gravel roads, in that order, Tomocik said.
—
Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Unlike, say, salicylic acid, its primary function in skin doesn't involve exfoliation.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 29 Jan. 2026
That length exposes Simon himself as the film’s primary weakness.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
For most of the holdouts, their condos at Biscayne 21 were their primary residences, not second homes or investment properties.
—Catherine Odom
january 29, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Unlike, say, salicylic acid, its primary function in skin doesn't involve exfoliation.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 29 Jan. 2026
That length exposes Simon himself as the film’s primary weakness.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
For most of the holdouts, their condos at Biscayne 21 were their primary residences, not second homes or investment properties.
—Catherine Odom
january 29, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
But that wasn’t his main concern.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
What separates Hush from other slasher films of its ilk is how Flanagan and Siegel give its main character sharp instincts and depth, as well as a frightening use of silence.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Another reporter asked Nacua who the last person to slide into his direct messages was.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
David Plotz, the CEO of City Cast, told Semafor in a phone call that the local podcast network was expanding its coverage of Washington as a direct result of the Post’s pullback, and would be immediately hiring four multi-platform journalists.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Spurs are still reeling and trying to find their feet after a dizzying amount of change at executive level over the last 12 months, which includes the departures of executive chairman Daniel Levy and chief football officer Scott Munn, with the Lewis family reasserting control of daily operations.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Disney said Walden has been promoted to a new role — president and chief creative officer — also effective March 18.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Provincial transport department official Siboniso Duma said in a statement that 11 people, including a schoolchild, died at the scene, although that was according to preliminary information.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The coroner also said the preliminary cause of death included intrauterine fetal demise caused by her injuries.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
No official confirmation has been issued by Libyan authorities, and there has been no immediate comment from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has long sought the younger Gadhafi’s arrest on charges of crimes against humanity.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Migliano said his estimates were calculated using the NetBlocks COST tool, an economic model that measures the immediate impact on a nation’s gross domestic product when its digital economy is forced offline.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Priced at $88 for a 30-day supply of capsules, the supplement adresses hair loss among Gen X and Boomer men for whom later-stage androgenetic alopecia is perhaps one cause of hair loss, but aging and collagen loss, among other biological shifts, are the foremost culprits.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Known as the foremost expert on chimpanzee research, Goodall's pioneering research and perspective on the natural world helped pave the way for female scientists today.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Within Orthodox circles in Argentina, preparatory stages for conversion may take place in the country, but the beit din, or rabbinical court, that validates them operates in Israel.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Countries have been working through many of those questions at preparatory meetings, with a final session scheduled for late March.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In more than one-third of Central Florida households, English is not the predominant language.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Because autos remain Tesla’s predominant source of revenue, total sales fell roughly 3% for the year, declining for the first time on record.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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