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 Republicans see the recent primary victories as an opportunity to shift the conversation away from those issues and toward a broader ideological debate. — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 2026 According to South Carolina law, a one-week filing period for a special primary election begins on the second Tuesday after the candidate’s death, or July 21. — Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 Four bedrooms, four full baths, and two powder rooms are spread across the primary residence, which spans roughly 7,800 square feet across three levels. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 July 2026 The consulting firm said in a report last week that, for the fourth month in a row, AI was the primary reason companies gave for cuts. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

Of the 33 schools awarded grants, 19 schools opted for main entrance improvements while 14 chose to modernize their check-in and visitor badging systems.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
India’s main stock index last month outperformed other emerging markets by the most since November, and foreign outflows hit a four-month low.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Not all applications are suitable for a direct switch, but the price gap, measured as the copper-to-aluminum price ratio, has blown out to one of the highest on record.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Muse Image will be available for consumers to access for free via the Meta AI app and site, WhatsApp direct messages and Instagram Stories.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 7 July 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

Toward the middle, chief housekeepers can earn between $4,000 and $7,000 monthly, while executive chefs can make $5,000 to $9,000.

— Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Major Garrett, the network’s chief Washington correspondent, will also have a contributor role.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

In a report, the agency's staff recommends that the commission approve the preliminary site and building plans for the arch.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Attorneys argued back and forth on the matter for hours in a Utah courtroom on July 8 during a weeklong preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 July 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

Indigenous tzalam wood, leather, and polished lava stone are the predominant materials; earth tones and clean lines are the prevailing aesthetics.

— Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
The name of the predominant flavor must appear as part of the product name.

— Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

There was no immediate word of damage in Qatar, while Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said all incoming fire from Iran had been intercepted.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
There was no immediate response to the Iranian accusations from the Pentagon.

— Courtney Kube, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

As economist and Opportunity@Work founder Byron Auguste has noted, when policymakers, employers and parents all realized that the shifting job landscape required a different preparatory path, states passed compulsory education laws.

— Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Another measure to speed up the preparatory studies proposes that when a power plant operator and a large load customer of a similar size both apply for access to the grid, only one study of the impact of both players joining should be conducted, rather than sequential studies.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2026