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
Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the primary fuel for the body, derived from food and released into the bloodstream.
—
Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025
Mwaloe was at school but the officials spoke with her grandmother, who is her primary guardian.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
The primary hazard from any severe thunderstorms that develop is strong, potentially damaging wind gusts.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Daniels’ play, in particular, was a primary reason for Kansas still being in the game, but he wasn’t given one last chance to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025
Mwaloe was at school but the officials spoke with her grandmother, who is her primary guardian.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
The primary hazard from any severe thunderstorms that develop is strong, potentially damaging wind gusts.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Daniels’ play, in particular, was a primary reason for Kansas still being in the game, but he wasn’t given one last chance to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Steven Pruett is the president and CEO of Elevation Resources, a Permian Basin oil company, and the immediate past chair of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, one of the industry’s main trade groups.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Those changes will likely start with a new chief soccer officer.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Zubeck most recently served as chief financial officer of Mesa Airlines and prior to that in multiple executive roles at Alaska Airlines.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Connor, per the preliminary PFF data that will be reviewed, was targeted five times.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The two allies agreed on the deal in July but Japanese officials discovered days later the preliminary deal had added 15% on existing rates and objected.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia and Ecuador have all secured direct berths to the tournament.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Fast-forward to today, and the airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is preparing to launch next spring, the first-ever direct flight between Charlotte and Zayed International Airport in the United Arab Emirates capital.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Agni Ghosh,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Now, one of the family’s foremost talents has struck out on her own, pioneering a new roster of wines that reflect her own passions and interests.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Champions Trophy exit was equally passive after a dreadful showing in the preparatory bilateral series against India.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
My research looked more at what happened peripherally in muscles, but the predominant model had the brain at the top.—
Sara Giordano,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
-
With global supplies heavily concentrated, most notably under China’s predominant influence, the risks of disruption due to trade restrictions or geopolitical tensions loom large.—
Sahit Muja,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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