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
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 primary
While tornadoes are possible, the primary hazards from any severe thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts and large hail.
—
Daniel Peck, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Yolanda, who escaped across the border into Mexico later that day, was named a primary suspect.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
The Farm Bill, officially named the Agriculture Improvement Act, is a comprehensive bill passed every five to six years that acts as the primary agricultural and food policy instrument for the federal government.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
Mulgrew began his career at Glentoran, Linfield’s primary Belfast rivals.
—Colin Millar, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Daniel Peck, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Yolanda, who escaped across the border into Mexico later that day, was named a primary suspect.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
The Farm Bill, officially named the Agriculture Improvement Act, is a comprehensive bill passed every five to six years that acts as the primary agricultural and food policy instrument for the federal government.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
Mulgrew began his career at Glentoran, Linfield’s primary Belfast rivals.
—Colin Millar, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
Everybody plays numerous parts, assigned without regard to gender (there’s even a cameo for Fleming), but the anchors are Cumming’s Cholmondeley, the nerd who came up the audacious idea, and Hodgson’s Montagu, the operation’s main manager and salesman.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The right main landing gear collapsed on impact when a Delta flight landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport last month, with the wing hitting the runway and fuel spray causing a massive fire, according to a preliminary report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.—
Sam Sweeney,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This approach not only helps to diffuse immediate tensions but also lays the groundwork for long-term loyalty.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Beyond the immediate financial devastation, job loss shakes the very core of a person’s identity and self-worth.—
Alan M. Langlieb,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Professional Triathletes Organisation Names Stuart Ramsey as CCO The Professional Triathletes Organisation has named Stuart Ramsey as its first chief commercial officer.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Next to Scavino, in the office Steve Bannon used during his seven months as chief strategist the first Trump administration, is James Blair, a deputy chief of staff who served as political director for Mr. Trump's 2024 campaign.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Just days before their performance, the court granted the preliminary injunction.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Lansky has yet to enter a plea and will next appear in court for a preliminary hearing in April.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Though the drive takes slightly over two hours, the drive from Managua is just as long, and the Guanacaste airport offers numerous direct flights from cities across the United States.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Liz was not interested in doing a direct replica of her novel.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the world’s foremost JFK assassination experts thinks there’s nothing in the mountains of classified government files that President Donald Trump ordered released this week that points away from Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman that sunny day in Dallas 61 years ago.—
Josh Meyer,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Robert Brill, Brill Media Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This method can temporarily manage symptoms or serve as a preparatory step before a more comprehensive surgical procedure.11 2.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
-
But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Jewish faith is predominant throughout the musical — references to certain prayers are made, Yiddish phrases are baked into the dialogue, and many Jewish traditions are brought to life on stage.—
Carolina del Busto,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Practical implications In practice, much of the federal government’s day to day functioning will likely remain the same since English is already the predominant language used in the country, experts said.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share