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
The win on his home turf wasn’t enough to offset his losses in other parts of the state, leading Lahn to a primary victory.
—
David Hickey, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert were leading other primary candidates by wide margins based on early results, prompting both campaigns to quickly pivot to what could be a bruising fall.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
One floor up, the museum details Obama's first presidential campaign, including the bruising primary election.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 June 2026
Mage said there are currently no products available only in New York, allowing the space itself — rather than merchandise — to serve as the primary differentiator.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
David Hickey, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert were leading other primary candidates by wide margins based on early results, prompting both campaigns to quickly pivot to what could be a bruising fall.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
One floor up, the museum details Obama's first presidential campaign, including the bruising primary election.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 June 2026
Mage said there are currently no products available only in New York, allowing the space itself — rather than merchandise — to serve as the primary differentiator.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
Kevin Cook, the venue’s main host and inarguably the reigning queen of drag in Portland.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Pashinyan’s main rival is the Strong Armenia Party, which wants closer business ties with Russia and accuses Pashinyan of attempting to spark a war with Moscow.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The ski lift at Le K2 Palace grants direct access to the sprawling ski areas of France's Les Trois Vallées, the largest ski area in the world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Iran, for its part, has moved to formalize its control over the strait in direct opposition to US demands.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
California State Controller primary election results The California State Controller is the state's chief accountant, maintaining the state's financial condition and conducting audits on state funds.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
As an independent business, FedEx Freight is the LTL market leader in annual revenue, surpassing chief rivals including Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), Estes Express Lines and XPO.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
Officials explained on a call earlier Wednesday that the case was a ‘presumptive positive,’ which means preliminary tests were positive but that results needed to be confirmed, according to Reuters.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The immediate illness known as Teflon flu is usually short-term, but PFAS exposure is part of a larger health debate.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
Pelley could not be reached for immediate comment.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Silverman, who leads one of the world’s foremost corporate investigations and risk advisory firms, calls that a category error.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
Karen Martin, a professor of biology at Pepperdine University and foremost expert on the creatures, will be in attendance, as will retired State Parks ranger Jim Serpa, who ran the program for three decades and helped resurrect it a few years ago.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
When interview invitations arrive, candidates have already done the reflective and preparatory work that helps make those conversations productive instead of reactive.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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The artist painted the mural singlehandedly, by hand, says the complaint, over many weeks, without preparatory sketches.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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