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
Ticketmaster controls about 80% of primary ticketing.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
The existing Guides remain the primary reference point for evaluating these claims.
—Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Social Security’s primary trust fund may be drained a year sooner than expected, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, an agency that provides budgetary and economic analysis to Congress.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the primary law firm defending West Virginia in that case at the Supreme Court, and has now responded to news that Slusser's lawsuit could be affected by the SCOTUS ruling.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
The existing Guides remain the primary reference point for evaluating these claims.
—Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Social Security’s primary trust fund may be drained a year sooner than expected, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, an agency that provides budgetary and economic analysis to Congress.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the primary law firm defending West Virginia in that case at the Supreme Court, and has now responded to news that Slusser's lawsuit could be affected by the SCOTUS ruling.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
Flight disruption Dubai Airports confirmed that all flights in and out of the city’s two main airports have been suspended until further notice.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Cantor was referring to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, formed in 1927 and seen as a company union whose main purpose was less to honor excellence in the motion picture arts than to keep a tight rein on artists who wanted a bigger slice of the pie.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, Gu’s interpretive garment may be an early indicator of how Met Gala guests will arrive on the first Monday of May; after all, this year’s theme is Fashion is Art, and some will undoubtedly take direct inspiration from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Blue Owl is a significant direct lender to the sector, which has been shaken by concerns that rapidly advancing AI tools could erode traditional SaaS business models.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Codiga works in commercial real estate, and Ali is the chief operating officer of TUC Media, a media consulting and production company.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In May 2021, the foundation appointed its former vice president of communications and engagement as chief science officer.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
During a multiday preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented evidence and witnesses to make the case that led 3rd Judicial District Magistrate Judge Brian Lee to decide there was probable cause for the 33-year-old to go to trial.—
Alex Brizee
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
According to a preliminary survey conducted by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) this week, 81% of the Israeli public supports the Iran strikes, while 63% of those surveyed believe the campaign should continue until the Iranian regime falls.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And for now, the potential economic effects of war in the Middle East are a more immediate concern than longer-term effects from AI.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
With their songs, colors, and variety, birds enrich our lives … and recent studies show that their immediate presence actually increases our well-being and happiness and can even prolong our lives!—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For the past twenty years, Sharon has largely embodied the latter path, for which he has been recognized as one of the world’s foremost modernizers of opera.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Van Lent had devoted his career to the Florida Everglades, becoming its foremost hydrologist, mapping the flow of water and studying how that affected the entire system.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The push for college-for-all that gained momentum through the 1990s and 2000s reframed high school as a four-year college preparatory exercise.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
After studying his own practice, Licklider determined that as much as 85% of his intellectual work — such as searching for data, running calculations, testing conclusions, and synthesizing information — was fundamentally preparatory for deeper, more creative efforts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The predominant weather pattern, consisting of high atmospheric pressure, low humidity and spring-like warmth, has kept any rain chances infrequent and short-lived.—
Anthony Franze,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
With the war increasingly breaking down along the country’s predominant Arab and African ethnic groups, Sudan faces the task of rebuilding a national identity along with all the other trappings of a state.—
Cameron Hudson,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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