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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 secondary
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 May 2025
At least that unit has a leader, which is more than what can be said about Miami’s secondary, especially once Jalen Ramsey is moved, on or after June 1.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 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
The American wine industry, meanwhile, could suffer in the face of any sort of trade war—which could lead to a massive boom on the secondary market.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 May 2025
At least that unit has a leader, which is more than what can be said about Miami’s secondary, especially once Jalen Ramsey is moved, on or after June 1.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 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
-
In total, 27 people were taken to the hospital, including two with serious injuries, and 20 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to Dave Kitchin of North West Ambulance Service.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
27 May 2025
-
Troopers said the two boys were hospitalized with minor injuries.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The Dream had more second-chance points and won the turnover margin, compensating for their inferior 3-point shooting.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Since its establishment by the 1947 National Security Act, the agency’s intelligence collection, analysis and foresight have proven inferior to that of The New York Times at a tiny fraction of the cost.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 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
-
Fisher, the No. 25 prospect in the Class of 2025, helped lead IMG Academy to its first appearance in the girls’ Chipotle Nationals championship as a junior in 2024.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
-
Wong was third with a 70 as a junior, fourth with a 74 as sophomore and tied for fourth with a 71 as a freshman.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 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
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Secondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secondary. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share