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
The first standoff was overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning at an Independence home in the 700 block of Brookside Avenue, which police believe to be Sanchez-Munoz’ primary residence.
—
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
As a result, filé and okra became primary thickeners of the dish that became known as gumbo.
—Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026
Heavy rainfall and the potential for life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazards with this system, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 June 2026
There are two primary measurements of concern.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
As a result, filé and okra became primary thickeners of the dish that became known as gumbo.
—Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026
Heavy rainfall and the potential for life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazards with this system, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 June 2026
There are two primary measurements of concern.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The fact that every single main cast member is on the ballot suggests that HBO made sure all main cast members were submitted and then allowed recurring performers to submit themselves.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
-
However, that change requires the Green Mountain Care Board, the state's main healthcare regulator, to go through a rulemaking process, which would not be finalized by the start of the coming hospital fiscal year in October, delaying the pricing reform implementation.—
OLIVIA GIEGER VTDigger,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
The placebo effect occurs when someone experiences symptom improvement after taking a pill or receiving a treatment with no direct medical or biological effect on the condition being treated.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Locals believe this was once a troll, frozen in stone after being hit with direct sunlight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Cultus Lake Waterpark's chief administrative officer, Andrew Steunenberg, reportedly said those injured were not in the water or on any rides at the time of the incident.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
In the show, Morrissey plays headmaster Michael Polly, who becomes the chief suspect when his wife goes missing and who remains inscrutable for most of the six episodes.—
Simon Button,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Becchina said preliminary information indicated the man and another person had been arguing in an apartment.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
-
Netanyahu has remained quiet publicly about the preliminary deal.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Whoever wins the nomination will face an immediate campaign finance gap and depend heavily on national GOP resources.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
The researchers’ examples of those immediate desires include activities such as smoking, overeating, and going to the movies instead of completing a report for work.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Gifford, who never attended college, eventually sold those buildings and became the city’s foremost expert on the repair and maintenance of boilers, writing a 571-page textbook on building science.—
Jesse Armas,
Curbed,
16 June 2026
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Kevin Brady,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Separate preparatory meetings with each side are set to take place in Doha this week, ahead of the official signing in Switzerland and the start of the technical talks, the diplomat said.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
This includes increasing college preparatory course availability at high schools, making financial aid systems easier to navigate, and recruiting and retaining Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty members.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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