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 Falcons have above-average talent at WR/TE and return four offensive line starters, which could lead to an aerial boon since stopping Bijan Robinson will be the primary goal of most defensive coordinators.
—
Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
When your primary anchor is your professional role, retirement creates a fundamental instability that affects every daily and long-term life aspect.
—Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The team’s primary logo is a four-color crest featuring white lettering, green-and-white mountains, and a red-and-yellow sunset.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
When your primary anchor is your professional role, retirement creates a fundamental instability that affects every daily and long-term life aspect.
—Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The team’s primary logo is a four-color crest featuring white lettering, green-and-white mountains, and a red-and-yellow sunset.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The tournament grounds feature three main retail sites: the Centre Court Shop, the No. 1 Court Shop and the Museum Shop, along with five express shops and an additional nine kiosks.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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While the news on Tuesday was welcoming for supporters of PEPFAR, the program has still seen significant disruptions as the Trump Administration guts foreign aid programs, including USAID, which was PEPFAR’s main implementing agency.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Sanctions could have been immediate, if President Trump had wanted, or much higher - such as the 500 percent tariff rate being proposed in a bi-partisan bill in the US Senate.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
-
The moment drew immediate backlash online and in international media, with critics calling their comments incendiary.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The drama began on Wednesday when a jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, captured Byron hugging Cabot, Astronomer's chief people officer, from behind.—
Hannah Parry
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
One of the chief goals of the community survey is to achieve representative samples from all areas of the city, so library leadership can better understand the specific needs of the people of the city.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Vinson was scheduled to have her preliminary examination in Washtenaw County's 14A-1 District Court, when Judge Cedric Simpson would have decided whether there's enough evidence against her to send the case to trial.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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The Air Force study's preliminary findings indicated troops in the nuclear missile community don't have higher cancer diagnosis or death rates than other active duty servicemembers or the general U.S. population.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Still, the collaboration with Redwood Materials to deploy energy storage systems does not put it in direct competition with its joint venture partner.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
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With direct insight into the invisible load that is often carried, Poo has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for and reimagining how society views and treats the labor of caregivers.—
Mariah Maddox,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Just as Russia has declined in its military might since the break-up of the Soviet Union a generation ago, Grossfeld says, its status as one of the globe’s foremost space powers has likewise slipped away.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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But all that nuttiness took place a long time ago, under the influence, and, according to the world’s foremost Ozzy authority, such is not really the case.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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According to a Reuters report released Thursday, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), the federal regulatory agency overseeing railroads, are already conducting preparatory work in anticipation of a possible two deals.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
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In an interview, Astin pointed to his years on national and L.A. Local boards and on five separate negotiating committees as key preparatory steps for the top job at SAG-AFTRA.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
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Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.—
Anjana Rajbhandary,
Outside Online,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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