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
The star’s primary post featuring a slideshow of that lovely strapless gown so far has earned more than 723,000 likes.
—
Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
With two months to go until the primary election, Democratic candidates are trying to stand out in what's shaping up to be a crowded field.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
While intending to flatter his primary audience, King Philip II, as the one true ruler of all Iberian possessions, the official may have protested too much.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Dunst will play Alex, one of the primary avatars available to players of the Minecraft video games from Mojang Studios on which the films are based.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
With two months to go until the primary election, Democratic candidates are trying to stand out in what's shaping up to be a crowded field.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
While intending to flatter his primary audience, King Philip II, as the one true ruler of all Iberian possessions, the official may have protested too much.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Dunst will play Alex, one of the primary avatars available to players of the Minecraft video games from Mojang Studios on which the films are based.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The Iranian strikes in Israel came after Tehran's main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit earlier in the day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Manchester City Liverpool fans have mostly sided with their main title rival of the past decade, with over 70 per cent wanting City to win the league.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
France Libre is a direct reference to General Charles de Gaulle's resistance movement, which joined Allied forces to help liberate France and Europe from the Nazis during World War II, Macron said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Income limits can disqualify higher earners from direct contributions.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Kristin Lewis, the chief product officer of Aura, said resources like their app can help parents protect their children from online threats.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
On deck to present was PMB Capital partner Taylor Baird and Edged Data Centers chief investment officer John Callahan, along with representatives from the city of Fort Worth.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
According to police, a preliminary investigation indicated that Bigelow may have been involved in two prior motor vehicle crashes in the surrounding area earlier in the day.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Overdose Response Strategic Plan for 2025-2027, released Thursday, incorporates public feedback from a preliminary plan that was introduced in July of 2025.—
Ophelia Anwah,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mahan also broke with his party’s long-standing energy policies, calling for immediate action to bring down soaring fuel costs.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Colombia’s military leadership said the probe would focus on identifying the technical or operational factors behind the crash, though no immediate cause has been confirmed.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the city’s leading trade promotion agency, the event has grown over three decades into Asia’s foremost marketplace for film and television content.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson Hinkle, the foremost American Putinophile of his generation, was less restrained than the Guardian columnist.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Before the performance, students participate in several preparatory rehearsals.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This is common practice in modern warfare and an essential preparatory step before kinetic actions.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And what’s so predominant is the characters are no bigger than the story.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Dark green is the predominant color in this manicure even though a black shade serves as the base.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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