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
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony says BSO will no longer provide staffing for the state’s Juvenile Assessment Center — the primary Broward detention center for serious juvenile offenders.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025
The rules were written with a primary purpose: keep it off the black market.
—Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
In 2024, Biel opened up about the couple’s decision to step away from the spotlight and make their secluded Montana abode their primary residence.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 4 Feb. 2025
Houston’s primary return in the Pressly trade would be salary relief and some flexibility for other acquisitions.
—Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for primary 
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025
The rules were written with a primary purpose: keep it off the black market.
—Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
In 2024, Biel opened up about the couple’s decision to step away from the spotlight and make their secluded Montana abode their primary residence.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 4 Feb. 2025
Houston’s primary return in the Pressly trade would be salary relief and some flexibility for other acquisitions.
—Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
The airport's main runway is the single-busiest runway in the country.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Nestled amid a scenic alpine valley tucked in between Castle Creek and the peaks of the Elk Mountains, about 10 miles outside of downtown Aspen, the 52-acre spread with a main home, several guest cabins, and a wealth of recreational pursuits is armed with a hefty $125 million price tag.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The president’s attack on DEI also had an immediate impact on the private sector, where corporations that once made commitments to diversify announced an end to those programs promptly after he was sworn in.—
Malaika Jabali,
Essence,
30 Jan. 2025
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No analogy is perfect, but a different historical moment feels, to me, more immediate and more challenging as a reference point.—
Robert Pinsky,
The New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Keim’s chief concern, understandably, was the Leland Burns House, which Moore designed in 1972, and which the foundation maintains.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Pepper the mini chocolate dachshund was also sworn in as the mayor's chief deputy.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Full investigations typically take a year or more, but investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.—
Serkan Gurbuz,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
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Investigators hope to release a preliminary report on what caused the collision within 30 days, but a final report, with a probable-cause determination, could take up to a year or more.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Photograph: Bill Oxford/Getty Images A 25-year-old engineer named Marko Elez, who previously worked for two Elon Musk companies, has direct access to Treasury Department systems responsible for nearly all payments made by the US government, three sources tell WIRED.—
Vittoria Elliott,
WIRED,
4 Feb. 2025
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In fact, Gave drew a direct comparison between A.I. and the auto industry.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the world's foremost innovators in the undersung art of nail shapes, Cardi B, just debuted a manicure that defies geometric convention on the 2025 Grammys red carpet.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2025
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Narrowing participation There are a number of programs researchers are worried about, foremost among them efforts that funding agencies have made to draw underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, into the STEM fields.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The resolution called for a concrete process consisting of preparatory sessions in 2026 and 2027, and three-week negotiations in 2028 and 2029, where a treaty will be finalized.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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The ultimate sources of that water — three tanks each with a capacity of roughly 1 million gallons — were filled as a preparatory measure before the fires broke out, city authorities say.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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Still, the predominant thought was his interview was a push by the Bears to fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule as the team positions itself to make a head coaching hire.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near primary
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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