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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of primary
Both of our wives are pregnant and our primary focus right now is getting back on stable ground.
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Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Illinois’ and Chicago’s sanctuary status, which protects immigrants who lack documentation, is the primary reason the state’s population increased by nearly 68,000 this year.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
And on defense, the Bills’ primary weakness — their run-stuffing — is up against a Broncos team that hasn’t run the ball well for most of the year.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Pearce plays Van Buren as hungry and avaricious even in his kinder moments, a man of immense wealth whose primary desire is to own more and more.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for primary 
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Illinois’ and Chicago’s sanctuary status, which protects immigrants who lack documentation, is the primary reason the state’s population increased by nearly 68,000 this year.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
And on defense, the Bills’ primary weakness — their run-stuffing — is up against a Broncos team that hasn’t run the ball well for most of the year.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Pearce plays Van Buren as hungry and avaricious even in his kinder moments, a man of immense wealth whose primary desire is to own more and more.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
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China has invested heavily in Panama, including in a number of construction deals, and manages two of Panama’s five main ports.Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
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Internationally, the United States is gaining allies, whereas its main adversaries, China and Russia, are increasingly embattled.Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Franklin’s immediate ancestors grew up in a world where the fear of witchcraft led to tragic consequences.Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
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Bringing all 900 units online simultaneously would create a visible and immediate difference — restoring dignity to countless lives, while clearing subway cars, streets and church steps.Jody Rudin, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What’s changed? Jan. 1, 2025 The chief medical examiner’s office recorded 586 fatal overdoses in San Francisco in the first 11 months of 2024 — a nearly 23% decrease, or 174 fewer deaths, compared with the first 11 months of 2023.Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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His Cavaliers being atop the Eastern Conference is setting him up to be one of the chief ambassadors.Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The consequences of that billion-dollar settlement, which first saw preliminary approval by Judge Claudia Wilken of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in October, 2024, were of the utmost importance for Seemes.Cory Mull, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Mandich made her first appearance in court on Jan. 10, and has upcoming court appearances set for Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, the latter of which will be a preliminary examination.Bailey Richards, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Two people with direct knowledge of the matter told the AP that all of the Uyghurs detained in Thailand submitted asylum applications to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which the AP verified by reviewing copies of the letters.Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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Aer Lingus and American Airlines has direct flights from Boston Logan International Airport to Shannon Airport.Karla Pope, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The reigning Silver Slugger, who signed a five-year contract extension announced Wednesday, has also developed a reputation as the team’s foremost foodie.Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
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But rather than playing it safe, the foremost roast mistress delivered a masterful 10-minute monologue that was hilariously acerbic, pointed, and playful enough to keep the crowd on her good side.EW Staff, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The ultimate sources of that water — three tanks each with a capacity of roughly 1 million gallons — were filled as a preparatory measure before the fires broke out, city authorities say.Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
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Among Muslim countries, Qatar makes sense on a logistical level because that is where all the preparatory work took place, including the brainstorming sessions that generated the office idea and the early meetings with the Taliban's leadership envoy.Michael Semple, Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2012
Adjective
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Right on cue, the predominant storm track across the Pacific Ocean will remain up near the Gulf of Alaska through the middle of January, providing few opportunities for rain to make it as far south as Southern California.Dennis Mersereau, WIRED, 11 Jan. 2025
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Their predominant symptoms were also diarrhea and vomiting, but the causative agent was listed as unknown.Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near primary
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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