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
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Treat the Bite Site Treat the tick bite site with rubbing alcohol or wash the area with soap and warm water to prevent secondary infection, Teel says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026
Greg Cote
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Similar to Robertson, Wright grinded out five seasons at Tennessee — but never actually graduated to a starting role in the secondary.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
This was true throughout the neighborhood, which established itself this month as a secondary mecca for Knicks fans.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Treat the Bite Site Treat the tick bite site with rubbing alcohol or wash the area with soap and warm water to prevent secondary infection, Teel says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026
Noun
Defensively, the secondary is a potential glaring problem, a big deal.
—Greg Cote
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Similar to Robertson, Wright grinded out five seasons at Tennessee — but never actually graduated to a starting role in the secondary.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
Kratom, and its more powerful derivative 7-OH, are drugs that have been available over the counter at vape shops, head shops and convenience stores.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Whiplash Most of 'Masters of the Universe''s heroes and villains were one-offs, but some were extremely derivative of other franchises.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The dog and another dog of theirs that came outside when the woman first opened the door are expected to recover from minor injuries suffered.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
OpenAI was reportedly served with a subpoena seeking information about its approach to advertising, consumer and health data, minor and senior users and models, among other activities.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
While patterns are complex, China’s investment in South Korea grows, while North Korea remains a costly dependent of Beijing.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
Once a child is declared a dependent of the court and is placed in foster care, as Jaxon was, social workers are required to visit in person at least once a month.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Consumers previously wrote off Chinese goods as inferior, as Chinese manufacturers prioritized quick market entry over original designs.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Learning how to be the favorite, who plays under the pressure of expectation, instead of how to be the underdog, who plays with the freedom of the unexpected, can make plenty of players vulnerable against an inferior foe at the business end of a tournament.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
Ordinary taxpayers don’t get to sue the IRS, settle with their own subordinates, and emerge with a bespoke release from audits and liabilities.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Teams like Haiti, Jordan and Curacao provide pillowy cushions in otherwise mean-spirited, competitive groups.—
Filip Bondy,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
The mean probability of voluntarily quitting one’s job increased to the highest level in more than three years.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Makeda Walker-Deen, a junior at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, said the program has supported her in several ways through high school.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Crean Lutheran recently received guard Earl Bryson who transferred from JSerra where Bryson was All-County second team as a junior this past season.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
That helps explain why videos about subjects that might appear niche can attract massive mainstream audiences.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Still, New York kept chipping, chipping away, before the last two and a half minutes of a game that will be savored, dissected, and, take it to the bank, the subject of books and documentaries.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
