PRIMARY Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

primary

adjective

ˈprī-ˌmer-ē

Definition of primary

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

as in direct

done or working without something else coming in between a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chief

highest in rank or authority the movie's primary screenwriter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of primary Previous work on drone-control interfaces has explored tablet-like displays and supporting hardware that allow pilots to communicate mission instructions without significantly disrupting their primary flying duties. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 And that's what the primary locating tool should be for law enforcement, police K-9. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The upper level will have a primary bedroom and bathroom, two other bedrooms, another bathroom and a laundry room. — Joe Marusak october 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026 Oil is an input cost for polyester production, and polyester is cotton’s primary competitor for fiber market share. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

The university introduced an aerospace engineering degree this fall, giving students a direct connection to emerging aviation systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
There is no working alternative to Starlink, which has put a massive constellation of low-earth satellites into orbit, and no direct competitor comes close.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

But this was apparently not the case, as per Victoria Secret’s chief creative officer Adam Selman.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Bassetti also confirmed that Lucas Green will stay on as chief content officer for operations, James Townley as chief content officer for development and Kate Humphreys as chief communications officer.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

There are also plans afoot by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) called SNA3G, which are preliminary plans for an eventual replacement of the Suffren-class in the future.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Martelly’s name was among 16 listed Friday on the Provisional Electoral Council’s website as having preliminary registered to run.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

The defense team plans to employ Othram to conduct a Y-STR test, a method that isolates DNA from the Y chromosome to generate a profile of a male contributor in samples where female DNA is predominant.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
There are two predominant rumors about how a wild herd ended up in the Inland Empire, Spasojevic said.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Fire officials were most concerned with keeping the blaze north of Encinal Canyon Road, one of the few natural firebreaks in the immediate area.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
The former is one of the world's foremost entertainment capitals, and the latter has a starving fan base and state-of-the-art venue in Climate Pledge Arena.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

The drawing may have been made as a preparatory study to show a prospective patron before Canaletto completed a related painting.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Canaletto expert Charles Beddington authenticated the drawing, which was likely a preparatory sketch for a painting last sold in 1995 for $354,000 (about $766,000 in today’s dollars).

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026