1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primary concern for many house hunters is the asking price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the movie's primary screenwriter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in preliminary
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
a few minutes of primary instruction in the use of our diving gear before we actually got into the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primary
Pulte said Cook had represented that each property would be used as her primary residence — a declaration that often results in more favorable loan terms.
—
Scott Horsley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to their Wyoming estate, the couple also owns a waterfront residence in Florida that serves as their primary residence.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
And much of this inventory—which cannot be efficiently absorbed by the primary sales channel—is now flowing into the secondary market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Scott Horsley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
In addition to their Wyoming estate, the couple also owns a waterfront residence in Florida that serves as their primary residence.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
And much of this inventory—which cannot be efficiently absorbed by the primary sales channel—is now flowing into the secondary market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The county’s Board of Supervisors voted 20-to-8 to send the proposal to the county’s law enforcement committee for review rather than taking immediate action on it.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While a separate court order prevents his immediate deportation from Tennessee, he could still be detained by ICE in Maryland.—
Evan Mealins,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Lea Anne Welsh, chief operating officer of Korman Communities, which owns AVE, has seen a significant shift over the last five years in their flexible-stay furnished apartments.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The company’s chief financial officer, Jennifer Callahan, was named as interim CEO, and board member Jay Roberts was appointed executive chairman.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In their response to the request to pause the order, lawyers for the environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe stated that the government had already begun reducing its reliance on the detention prior to the judge’s preliminary injunction ruling.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
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The most plausible near-term outcomes comprise either a narrowed case that proceeds to discovery or a dismissal with leave to amend, rather than a sweeping preliminary injunction that rips ChatGPT out of iOS.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Product decisions are guided by customer needs, but there is no direct customer control over individual features.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, the Masters will give six direct exemptions to winners of different national opens: namely the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open, Australian Open and the South African Open.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Danny Ertel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba huddled with advisers for more than 20 hours of preparatory meetings ahead of his showdown the same month, a person familiar with the planning said.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The original style of most sauces is spicy-sweet with molasses, ketchup, and hickory flavors being the predominant notes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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Policy shakeups were the predominant reason for the volatility in the first half of 2025.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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