1
as in derivative
taken or created from something original or basic
history textbooks are secondary sources for historical information and do not represent original research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
of little or less value or merit
we need to focus on getting the groceries bought and the rent paid—everything else is secondary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dependent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of secondary
Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
From Sirena, your guide will lead you along trails through the secondary forest, tailoring the route to get a glimpse of the wildlife.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
McDuffie, a First-team All-Pro in 2023, has Super Bowl pedigree, playing a starting role in the secondary for two rings as part of the Chiefs’ dominance in recent seasons.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
For too long, our schools, workplaces, and post-secondary institutions were stuck.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
From Sirena, your guide will lead you along trails through the secondary forest, tailoring the route to get a glimpse of the wildlife.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Rams have made multiple moves to retain and add players to a secondary that will be key next season and beyond for an organization that has gone all in to play in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium next February.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
McDuffie, a First-team All-Pro in 2023, has Super Bowl pedigree, playing a starting role in the secondary for two rings as part of the Chiefs’ dominance in recent seasons.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
While legal sports books must follow regulations set by states, prediction markets have argued their trades — called event contracts — are derivative markets, and thus fall under the CFTC's jurisdiction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Nowhere is this more the case than the energy sector that has underwritten and made possible the transformation of the Gulf states over the past half-century, and whose health remains vital to the global economy and supply chains in oil, gas and many derivative products.—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In a letter sent to students, the academic institution said there had been some minor damage to buildings but no injuries.—
Moriah Thomas,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Julie Ann Leon, 45, of the 2000 block of Damon Street in Portage, now faces a Level 6 felony charge of neglect of a dependent.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Legitimate preparers must first ask about your income, dependents and filing status.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Beaten 4-1 at Bolton Wanderers, Leeds were effectively relegated to the second tier with two games remaining because of their vastly inferior goal difference.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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During the Middle Ages, for example, many contemporary accounts from both Christian and Muslim societies depicted their opposing side as barbaric, blasphemous, and inferior.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 2024, Ronnie Reese, Johnson’s first press secretary, kept his job for months after harassment allegations were lodged against him by female subordinates.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
King instead told the grand jury that any changes to Goodloe’s working conditions had been the decision of a subordinate, according to the indictment.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her older brother, Aiden, is a junior on South Elgin’s junior varsity baseball team.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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All four of Munoz’s children attended Park Hill schools, including her youngest son who is a junior at Park Hill South High School.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But here from West Palm Beach’s cheap seats, people scurrying inside glass conjures up those halcyon summers of magnifying glasses, ants and mean kids.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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By nature, llamas are smart, protective, and sometimes stubborn, earning them a reputation as mean creatures and for spitting on people.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If his subject has shifted, his methods have lagged.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Before infants were enrolled in the AL16 study, their parents or guardians had to sign consent forms disclosing, among other things, the risks that clinical trial subjects would face.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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