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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dependent
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of secondary
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Golf became secondary in 2019, when a fire destroyed the Bennett’s home and belongings and killed their dog.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The numbers have followed Parker as well, as his secondary has been a part of a top-eight passing defense in three of the past five seasons, including the Eagles giving up the fewest passing yards in the NFL in their 2024 Super Bowl season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
Collin Sexton stepped into a secondary role.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Golf became secondary in 2019, when a fire destroyed the Bennett’s home and belongings and killed their dog.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
And yet the strength of this defense lies in the secondary.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The numbers have followed Parker as well, as his secondary has been a part of a top-eight passing defense in three of the past five seasons, including the Eagles giving up the fewest passing yards in the NFL in their 2024 Super Bowl season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
For every schlocky, derivative entry, there’s one that endures.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These are derivative securities based on Treasury bonds.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Left-hander Marco Gonzales, a veteran coming back from flexor tendon surgery and in camp on a minor-league deal, followed with another three scoreless innings.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This will be the period when the threat of severe weather is highest, with large hail, damaging winds and minor flooding as the main concerns throughout the afternoon.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Julie Ann Leon, 45, of the 2000 block of Damon Street in Portage, now faces a Level 6 felony charge of neglect of a dependent.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Although tempting, your beloved cat or dog doesn’t qualify as a dependent.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That has pushed it to explore asymmetric warfare, in which smaller or technologically inferior forces look for ways to frustrate or exhaust the enemy.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Right now, the Angels have an inferior product in an aging stadium, and visions of a new or refurbished ballpark and surrounding development stalled after talks between the club and the city crashed on the rocks a couple of seasons ago.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Khamenei was known to be displeased when asked to referee disagreements between subordinates.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure loyalty among his subordinates.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Carlsbad Girls basketball The 5-foot-11 junior scored 17 points, collected nine rebounds and blocked three shots to lead the Lancers past Imperial 54-50 in the section Division 1 championship game.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The junior had fallen in the finals of the Div.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One sister’s adult son and daughter have always been mean to me.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
By 1997, there was another TV remake with Brandy starring as Cinderella for a new generation, with Bernadette Peters as her mean stepmother and Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Music is the focal point of each service, with Jeffrey playing guitar and keyboards behind the curtain, singing in a wavering voice reminiscent of Jeff Mangum about the subjects, ideas and feelings that have occupied his mind at various stages of his life.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That’s the subject of a pretrial hearing scheduled for May 18.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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