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
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Recent Examples of secondary
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
As a secondary cold front arrives, there may be a spotty rain shower in the morning and some mixing in the Poconos.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
Sam plays more of a secondary role than those dual protagonists, but his character arc is still compelling.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
As a secondary cold front arrives, there may be a spotty rain shower in the morning and some mixing in the Poconos.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
Both are back on one-year deals and will be depth pieces to a secondary that came together nicely in 2025 — particularly with the career-best play of Mike Jackson and the second consecutive Pro Bowl season of Jaycee Horn.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission — an independent federal agency that has jurisdiction over derivative markets — is overseeing prediction markets.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Section 232 tariffs set a general 50% rate on aluminum, steel and certain related products while some specific copper and derivative products are subject to a 25% rate, per the White House .—
Christina Cheddar Berk,Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Snitker managed numerous minor-league clubs over the years, including Richmond, Mississippi, Durham and Macon.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Any minor spills or leaks within this storage area are expected to be contained within the basement level.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On April 3, Reichard-Hayes and Carter were arrested on charges of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and neglect of a dependent.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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Lawmakers say the funding ensures the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) face no interruptions to their coverage.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The high-flying version of the Avs has yet to arrive in this series, but the defensively-sound edition backed by strong goaltending continues to be enough against an inferior Kings club.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In these three scenarios, then, the money market account is inferior in two of them, while the returns will be identical for the shorter, 3-month option.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Those messages were uncovered as part of a broader investigation of Chavez-DeRamer’s leadership that began after the New York Post reported in January that a complaint filed with the Labor Department’s inspector general accused Chavez-DeRemer of a relationship with the subordinate.—
Seung Min Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For many years, Libby Gelman-Waxner, then an assistant buyer in juniors’ activewear, moonlighted for Premiere magazine and Entertainment Weekly as the world’s most beloved and irresponsible movie critic.—
Libby Gelman-Waxner,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
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Naperville Central junior Ryan Pall has seen action at first base and catcher and has gotten at-bats at several spots in the batting order.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Doping with the aluminum stuff boosted the mean conductivity by a factor of 10.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, the first three, the meanest comments of the bunch, are all solidly directed at women.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the third-year pro also coming off a subpar 2025 campaign, Wells’ offensive capabilities have been the subject of questioning in recent weeks and months.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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But then Johnson pivoted to corruption, a touchy subject in Mexico.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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