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

In May, Tennessee stopped the execution of Tony Carruthers after staff placed an IV into his right arm but couldn’t get a secondary IV line. — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Dwyer generated multiple chunk plays on vertical routes and routinely won his matchup against UCF’s secondary. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Safety Jamir Conn, another LSN alum, rose from the FCS ranks at Southern Illinois to be a key contributor in the secondary. — Pj Green september 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 Miami's young secondary was exploited by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, both lines were overmatched physically, and the offense was inconsistent. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secondary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary

Adjective

This summer, McCurdy told a committee of Georgia lawmakers that such derivative products have a high potential for abuse and are causing deaths in his state.

— Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026
The best solution, their letter said, would be to avoid imposing tariffs on semiconductors and derivative products entirely.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of derivative

Adjective

The Chiefs went on to emerge victorious 24-10, but like the offense, the defense’s focus now will be identifying how an inferior team that lost its star player early managed to stay involved until late in the fourth quarter.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
The same can be said for TCU’s offense as well after the past two games against inferior opponents.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

Noun

Investigators have accused one of his subordinates of running a fraud scheme, though Kravchenko himself has not been charged or named a suspect.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Additionally, while there are government rules against federal employees accepting gifts from subordinates or officials who make less than themselves, subordinates are not barred from receiving gifts from superiors.

— Kristin Brown, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of subordinate

Adjective

The mean score for the Peach State’s public school students was higher than the national average for the ninth year in a row, Georgia Department of Education officials said in a news release Tuesday.

— Eric Stirgus, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of mean

Noun

Amir Morton, a junior running back who transferred from Sierra Canyon, is expected to provide immediate help for Crespi.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Should a junior who needs a global history course as a prerequisite take priority over a senior who has one last chance to take it as an elective?

— Sahil Bhargava, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of junior

Noun

Drawn to the tactile and familiar qualities of paper, Teo uses playful forms and visual metaphors to transform everyday subjects and construct whimsical, imagined worlds.

— New York Times Games, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
The same is true for Sabonis, who continues to be the subject of trade rumors.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of subject

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“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of secondary

adjective

noun

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