SECONDARY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

secondary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-kən-ˌder-ē

Definition of secondary

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

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

secondary

2 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

Rancho Cucamonga has plenty of talent in its secondary, led by Nathaniel Mensah (Oregon State). — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 Yes, Erik Spoelstra assistant Wayne Ellington is pushing for victory, but at this time of the year that can be secondary to individual hunger. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2026

Noun

Snead notably acquired star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 in a deal that included two first-round picks, securing the cornerstone of the secondary for a team that won a Super Bowl. — Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026 Defensively, the secondary is a potential glaring problem, a big deal. — Greg Cote may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for secondary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary

Adjective

Unlike oil ETFs or crypto perpetuals, the product is being pitched as a token backed by physical oil rather than futures or other derivative contracts.

— Mia Gindis, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Then two were the derivative stuff, like Colbert Before Air and Desi Lydic Foxsplains and then the other three were original, they’re not based off of anything else.

— Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Definition of derivative

Adjective

On Thursday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged Ramon with lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, police said.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of minor

Noun

Evidence of similar injuries was found on another 18-year-old dependent in the couple’s care, resulting in additional misdemeanor assault charges, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
Borrowing limits for Parent PLUS are also changing Parent PLUS loans also will be capped at $20,000 a year per student, with a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent, unless a borrower already has one of those loans.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Definition of dependent

Adjective

Over the last 15 years, employees have increasingly sued large employers over unnecessarily high fees or inferior investment options.

— Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
The results have invariably been uglier, longer, inferior versions of films people already know and love, which provide a cheap rush of nostalgia but don’t offer any surprises or challenges.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Definition of inferior

Noun

Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Put simply, the theory says the president should be able to issue orders to subordinates and to fire them at will.

— Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

Definition of subordinate

Adjective

All this whining about online hate and fans being mean and blah, blah, blah.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
This doesn’t relate to AI replacing jobs, but rather, an increase in the number of enterprise launches accomplished in a leaner-and-meaner fashion than ever before.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of mean

Noun

Wahl and Gounder, three years his junior, spent time in the same spaces with mutual friends, and Grant eventually initiated interest.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Annual passes and punch cards available, with discounts for seniors, military and juniors, league and HOA members and their guests.

— Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Definition of junior

Noun

This immersive show moves through seven years of portraits through Oyer’s lens, capturing subjects’ raw individuality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The skyscraper has been the subject of multiple complaints, including allegations of falling debris and unsafe conditions, records show.

— Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of subject

Cite this Entry

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“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of secondary

adjective

noun

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