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
Ballots are arriving in the mailboxes of people all across California for the June 2 primary election, raising questions about how to return them, what’s being decided and when to expect results.
—
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
That race is on the June 2 primary ballot.
—East Bay Times Editorial Board, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Motion-sensor night lighting run from the primary bedroom to the bathroom.
—Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
Cincinnati Public Schools One of the program’s primary goals is to shorten wait times for families seeking shelter, while also offering essential items — such as shoes, clothing and backpacks — through a modular facility connected to the parking lot.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
That race is on the June 2 primary ballot.
—East Bay Times Editorial Board, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Motion-sensor night lighting run from the primary bedroom to the bathroom.
—Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
Cincinnati Public Schools One of the program’s primary goals is to shorten wait times for families seeking shelter, while also offering essential items — such as shoes, clothing and backpacks — through a modular facility connected to the parking lot.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The deep main compartment is large enough to fit even straw hats and nicer shoes without squishing them, and this trunk looks equally right in an airport or the lobby of the Carlyle Hotel, Mom’s favorite.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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The former senator is another big Democratic recruiting win and is a main reason why this state is a Toss-Up.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
But as online marketplaces widen their delivery network across the country and social media marketing levels the playing field, direct-to-consumer, or D2C, brands are on the rise in India, according to experts.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
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And even direct calls were becoming indirect.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Also in attendance were NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Google.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Beauty as chief financial officer at just 35, Mandy Fields knows a little something about defying limits.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented DNA evidence matching blood found on the rim of Alnaji’s megaphone to Kessler.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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His preliminary hearing readiness has been set for May 13, and the preliminary hearing will follow on July 22, said officials from the district attorney’s office.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That nickname cemented itself in the 1990s, when the team became one of baseball’s foremost powers, winning the division title year after year, reaching the World Series five times and winning in 1995, and producing five Hall of Fame players.—
Andrew Kirell,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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His melding of blues, country, and gospel music placed him among the foremost pioneers of rockabilly and ultimately defined the genre of rock and roll.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Najib was the only one of the defendants who was arrested and present in person in court Sunday for a preparatory session in the trial, which will continue next month.—
Ghaith Alsayed,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Czech power company ČEZ signed a deal on Friday with Rolls-Royce SMR on preparatory work for the British company to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
American Airlines, which is the predominant carrier at Miami International, and United Airlines, which also maintains a significant Florida presence, also pledged assistance.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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Habeas petitions have become the predominant path for immigrants seeking release from detention.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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