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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of secondary
Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Later, his doctor called and told him to come in as soon as possible for a secondary test.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 June 2025
Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Matthews has an excellent four-seam fastball with two devastating secondaries — slider and changeup.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Adjective
Bouchard added another secondary helper on the McDavid-to-Draisaitl jaw-dropping tally to cap a three-point night.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Later, his doctor called and told him to come in as soon as possible for a secondary test.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 June 2025
Noun
Maryland had one of the more underrated secondaries in college football last season (Beau Brade, Tarheeb Still, Ja’Quan Sheppard and others).
—Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Matthews has an excellent four-seam fastball with two devastating secondaries — slider and changeup.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary
Adjective
-
So far, what AI produces in the way of literature is purely derivative and thus noticeably unoriginal.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
28 May 2025
-
The illusion of creativity increased while the outcome became more derivative.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
One allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail, and three deputies were struck, causing minor injuries, the department said.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
-
Per the Sheriff’s Office, the unidentified suspect broke in and assaulted a resident living in the home, who escaped after suffering a minor injury.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Extra amounts are available for veterans who may have additional dependents, such as more than two children.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
-
Before 1987, taxpayers could claim dependents by simply listing their names.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
If college sports morph into inferior versions of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB and other major pro leagues, college teams run the risk of resembling minor league squads that would generate much less revenue.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
-
While North Korea's naval forces are widely seen as far inferior to those of its rivals, analysts say a destroyer equipped with modern missile and radar systems could still boost the North's offensive and defensive capabilities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Season two had ended on the devastating cliffhanger of the games being incomplete and Gi-hun and his subordinates once again being held captive.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
31 May 2025
-
Her subordinates were transferred to the inspection division, Congress was told.—
Charlie Savage,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Watching and learning as a junior paid off when St. Laurence coach Teagan Walsh noticed.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
-
Key Background Hernandez, a junior at California’s Jurupa Valley High School, shared first place in the high jump and triple jump and second place in the long jump events at Saturday’s state track and field competition.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The other person who spoke in South Carolina, Tim Walz, is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit, which is a toxic brew.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
-
At its core, the CHOICE Act extends the allowable duration of noncompete clauses to four years for employees earning over twice the mean wage in their county, eliminating the requirement for employers to demonstrate a legitimate business interest before enforcing them.—
Sam Peak,
Sun Sentinel,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Director: Jackie Jesko The Hook: An unvarnished look at the barrier-breaking journalist who interviewed everyone from the Kardashians to Castro, disarming her subjects with her charm before asking penetrating questions that were shocking in their directness (see this sit-down with Courtney Love).—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
4 June 2025
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Both Abarca and the young child remain the subjects of active missing persons investigations by the Shawnee Police Department as of Wednesday.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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