1
2
as in immediate
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

3
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 Tuesday, four of Boston’s five homers came against Francis’ two primary offerings. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 If lifestyle changes and home remedies haven't helped, consult your primary healthcare provider. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 30 Apr. 2025 Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 30 Apr. 2025 Lawmakers passed a new law this year that will make firing squads the state's primary method of execution, starting next year. CBS News, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
  • The rest of the body's main chakras are located down the five segments of the spine—cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx—which are governed by the sympathetic nervous system.
    Tony Sanchez, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • One study showed that consuming moderate- and high-GI fruits after main meals can improve blood insulin and insulin function.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hugo used the firm’s unique approach to implement immediate ROI and expand AI implementation organically for their clients.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Buying a running business can provide immediate cash flow and fully functional operational systems.
    Raheel Sheikh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tom Buckingham, chief growth officer at Nassau Financial Group and retirement planner, told Newsweek that this is for a number of reasons.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Faced with potential federal spending cuts that threaten health coverage and falling childhood vaccination rates, Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California, has a lot on her plate — and on her mind.
    Bernard J. Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this month, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block DOGE from accessing sensitive personal information held by the SSA.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • In an ad hoc statement on April 9, the company recognized that the preliminary first-quarter result deviated significantly from analyst expectations of around 4 billion euros.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Trump administration seems to believe that a comprehensive trade deal can be thrashed out through direct personal dialogue between Trump and Xi.
    Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The president can make nominations but doesn't have direct oversight.
    Bonnie Bolden, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Naeem Ghauri, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • This return to immigration law-and-order was the foremost promise of his 2024 campaign.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • To qualify for the offer, high school seniors in Riverside County must meet the college preparatory courses (A-G requirements) that both Cal State and the University of California require for admissions.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The overdraft rule, which the consumer bureau finalized in December after years of preparatory work, was scheduled to take effect in late 2025.
    Stacy Cowley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The two main red grapes here are Syrah and Grenache, with Syrah the predominant variety in the north and Grenache holding first place in the south, where it is also blended with other grapes including Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
  • For citizenship behavior, relationship quality was the predominant mediator.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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