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
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Recent Examples of primary
When possible, avoid linking AI tools to primary accounts used for work, banking or personal communication.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The primary suite, with a custom-upholstered bed next to a bank of floor-to-ceiling glass, features a collection of ceramics by Roger Capron and white quartzite accents throughout the spacious bathroom.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
Adam Miller, co-founder of Better Angels, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness and building affordable housing, filed paperwork on Wednesday to run against Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 primary election.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition to a primary challenge, Hochul faces a general election campaign against Long Island Republican Bruce Blakeman, the suburban Nassau County executive.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The primary suite, with a custom-upholstered bed next to a bank of floor-to-ceiling glass, features a collection of ceramics by Roger Capron and white quartzite accents throughout the spacious bathroom.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
Adam Miller, co-founder of Better Angels, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness and building affordable housing, filed paperwork on Wednesday to run against Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 primary election.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition to a primary challenge, Hochul faces a general election campaign against Long Island Republican Bruce Blakeman, the suburban Nassau County executive.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
White actually carried main voice Terry Gannon through parts of the broadcast.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Shah’s daughter, Smita Shah, is a finance committee vice chair for Stratton’s main campaign fund, Juliana for Illinois.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Beyond direct employment, Meta is launching a Boone County-wide workforce development initiative through the Boone County Career Collaborative.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Nobody would have been surprised to hear Bad Bunny use one of the year’s biggest stages to levy direct condemnation of the administration’s dehumanizing bigotry.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As part of the acquisition, Achillo Pinto’s chief financial officer Andrea Rossi has been named chief executive officer of Canepa 1966, which will continue to operate as a fully independent business entity, albeit integrated into the Achillo Pinto manufacturing ecosystem.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hager became chief in 2023 and overall spent 12 years with the city, including working as an administrative captain in the police department.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Today brings preliminary matches for women’s ice hockey, qualification runs for men’s big-air snowboarding, and, of course, more curling, which is the only sport industrious enough to have events every day through the Olympics.—
The Editors,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For instance, Irvine recently passed a preliminary e-bike law that strikes us as needlessly heavy handed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Horizontal and diagonal cracks require immediate attention from a structural engineer.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Feeling lightheaded or passing out can signal a very serious pulmonary embolism and requires immediate attention.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Here are the foremost players who hit that category for the Broncos in 2026, according to OvertheCap.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Within Orthodox circles in Argentina, preparatory stages for conversion may take place in the country, but the beit din, or rabbinical court, that validates them operates in Israel.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
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Countries have been working through many of those questions at preparatory meetings, with a final session scheduled for late March.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the predominant response has been one of welcome, support and encouragement.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For the past fifty years, the predominant theory held that our capacity to parse complicated syntax rested on specialized, innate faculties.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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