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 In a joint statement following the ruling, the coalition said the lawsuit had nevertheless achieved one of its primary goals by forcing greater transparency from the administration. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026 Selling to buy is Villa’s primary method for competing sustainably and, according to club sources speaking anonymously to protect relationships, this was again discussed with Emery heading into the summer. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 July 2026 As the name suggests, its primary aim is to improve the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 July 2026 Rocket Lab's primary launch site is on Māhia Peninsula, on the North Island of Peter Beck's native New Zealand. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

Al-Hilal is keen to offload the player, who is training separately from their main squad and not in coach Simoene Inzaghi's plans.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The Nazca Lines, enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 100,000 annual visitors.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

This was a different era, when most teams at that level would have played direct, physical football.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
The last major hurricane to hit Miami-Dade County was the catastrophic Hurricane Andrew in 1992, but the city did not take a direct hit.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

The announcement comes as Polymarket and its chief rival, Kalshi, make daily headlines for contracts that invite users to wager on everything from sports to interest rate cuts to elections.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 29 July 2026
The uncertainty created by such lack of guidance has become one of several legitimate problems that needs resolution, said Troy Flint, chief communications officer for the California School Boards Assn.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

Last month, oil prices briefly fell to their lowest level since before the war on news that a preliminary peace agreement had been reached.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026
The trouble began over the weekend, NASA said, well after LINK had hit several preliminary milestones, such as deploying its solar-power arrays and test firing its xenon-gas thrusters, during its commissioning phase.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 July 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

While summer is still the predominant season, the average acreage burned in winter, spring and fall have all increased too, according to the analysis.

— Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Repeated, large fires have caused a decline in the predominant species of conifers, the black spruce, shifting what vegetation regrows.

— Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

Nunez’s statement did not spell out what that meant in practice and there was no immediate response to a request from the ministry for further comment.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Officials are hopeful that the immediate areas near the stadium will be done by the middle of August, and the final configuration will be ready.

— Mac Engel July 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

The executions have drawn attention to the ageing death-row population in the US, as well as Florida’s status as the foremost death penalty state.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026
Among the most significant was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision Paris, one of the world’s foremost textile and fashion sourcing platforms.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Prince Gabriel, 22, completed a one-year preparatory course at the National Mathematics & Science College in England before graduating from the Royal Military Academy of Belgium.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
The Western Cape High Court judgment on Friday does not stop the impeachment committee from doing other preparatory work for the pending proceedings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026