1
as in derivative
taken or created from something original or basic
history textbooks are secondary sources for historical information and do not represent original research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
of little or less value or merit
we need to focus on getting the groceries bought and the rent paid—everything else is secondary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dependent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 secondary
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The secondary should also be a strength, returning intact with Thorstenson and seniors Noah Kosiek, Jaxson Miglans and Khalil Roberson.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Archaeologists also found a secondary tomb next to the 2,400-year-old structure.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
Global interest in secondaries has risen sharply in the last four years as an exit route for investors.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The secondary should also be a strength, returning intact with Thorstenson and seniors Noah Kosiek, Jaxson Miglans and Khalil Roberson.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
At this time last year, DeJean was not yet a starter in the Eagles’ secondary.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Archaeologists also found a secondary tomb next to the 2,400-year-old structure.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
Revise Visa Quotas Exclude derivative family members from the annual cap so that more principal investors can qualify—boosting capital injection without exceeding visa limits.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Be skeptical of that new band, The Velvet Sundown, that appeared on the streaming service with a creative backstory and derivative tracks.—
Adam Nemeroff,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The two had a minor pull-apart but Adam Pearce screamed it down.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The compound 7-OH is a naturally occurring substance in the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa), according to the FDA, but only a minor component, less than 2%, of the alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Natalia’s story grabbed the attention of the public in 2019 when Indiana prosecutors leveled charges against the Barnetts for allegedly neglecting a dependent.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Certain visa holders such as students (F, J, M, Q visas), teachers, and trainees may qualify as exempt individuals for a limited period, along with their dependents; foreign government employees and certain international organization staff may also qualify.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
More to Explore By documenting lushly hirsute Japanese officials alongside their beardless counterparts, portraiture preserved a photographic record of colonial subjects’ visibly inferior status.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Sep. 2025
-
As with many imitations, attempting to replicate something often results in an inferior copy.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In pursuing first the transport minister’s former subordinates and then the man himself, Putin was deploying a strategy that has also been seen elsewhere, including at the defense ministry.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Participants would complete a physical fitness test, have their body fat measured, undergo a psychological evaluation, receive leadership evaluations from former peers and subordinates, and complete verbal and written communication assessments.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The junior led Monte Vista to a 5-0 record and a win at the Bishop O’Dowd Invitational with 68 kills, 17 aces, 12 blocks and 34 digs.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Lance Suaste, a junior at the university, was walking past the nearby Mountain Run apartments, having just been dropped off after spending the day at a friend’s house.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Not even Chris Hargensen, the organizer of Carrie’s prom-night humiliation, the meanest of all mean girls, could have thought up something so diabolical.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The messages, dozens of which were sent every day and attacked the teen’s relationship, looks, intelligence, clothing and behavior, were originally thought to be a mean spirited prank orchestrated by one of their high school classmates.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Researchers distributed email surveys to 80,000 licensed hunters and another 80,000 landowners in the subject states, and over 1,200 active conservation officers were also surveyed in an effort to get a comprehensive view of attitudes about and estimations of the prevalence of poaching.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The two winners and two runners-up in the categories of fiction and nonfiction this year divide their subjects across genre lines, though this is typically not the case.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share