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
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 response, Trump backed a primary challenger, to whom Cheney lost in the 2022 midterms.
—
Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
German police have said Brueckner, who is currently in prison on an unrelated rape conviction, is the primary suspect.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 May 2025
The fill is made with recycled plastic, it’s sewn with recycled thread, the primary fabric is eucalyptus sourced from regenerative forests, and Buffy is developing a closed-loop supply chain that’ll turn old comforters into new ones.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025
Training the model may have involved over 20,000 high-end GPUs working in concert—an expense few organizations besides OpenAI and its primary backer, Microsoft, could afford.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
German police have said Brueckner, who is currently in prison on an unrelated rape conviction, is the primary suspect.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 May 2025
The fill is made with recycled plastic, it’s sewn with recycled thread, the primary fabric is eucalyptus sourced from regenerative forests, and Buffy is developing a closed-loop supply chain that’ll turn old comforters into new ones.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025
Training the model may have involved over 20,000 high-end GPUs working in concert—an expense few organizations besides OpenAI and its primary backer, Microsoft, could afford.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
-
Its main funders are the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW – and returning main partner ZDF Studios.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
If your favorite team doesn’t harbor immediate playoff aspirations, then this is what the WNBA’s first weekend should be all about.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
-
Blend Technology with the Human Touch Technology, like apps and AI, makes life more convenient for customers by allowing things like easy online scheduling or getting immediate answers from AI chatbots.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
But psychiatrist Brad Smith, MD, chief medical officer at Accanto Health, said the medications can intensify food avoidance for some people, too.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
20 May 2025
-
The nation’s chief health officer advocated letting a measles epidemic run its course, unimpeded by vaccinations.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The competition — which featured 17 total contestants — unfolded this past weekend, with the preliminary round taking place on Saturday, May 10 and the finals on Sunday, May 11.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
12 May 2025
-
Such a move could raise $67.3 billion over the next 10 years, according to a preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Putin proposed direct talks after European powers demanded a 30-day ceasefire, threatening massive new sanctions on Moscow.—
Tom Balmforth,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
-
After four days of direct military strikes on the other’s territory, many in the region feared that – in the absence of meaningful international pressure – the tit-for-tat strikes would continue to escalate.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
The signatories of this letter include some of the UK’s foremost experts in artificial intelligence, whose work bridges cutting-edge research and real-world application.—
Philip Salter,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Insofar as the Trump campaign had any specific policy planks, indiscriminate tariffs were foremost among them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
In accordance with the Lviv Statement adopted on the day, the group welcomed the finalization of the preparatory work required to establish a Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Cheshire Academy is a college preparatory boarding and day high school that was founded in 1794.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
The soda business grew in popularity in a predominant Mormon area, according to the New York Times, as the church prohibits drinks that are hot caffeinated like tea and coffee.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
While Putin’s predominant image in the outside world is that of a ruthless strongman, for domestic audiences the Kremlin has tried to soften this image.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share