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
As the sole candidate to qualify for the Republican primary ballot…
— Virginia GOP (@VA_GOP) April 5, 2025
Spanberger was declared the Democratic nominee after the deadline to make the ballot passed at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2025
Also referred to as petroleum jelly, which is the primary ingredient of Vaseline, it was invented during the 1800s as a cure-all balm and has become a household staple since.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Photo : Jo David for Sotheby’s International Realty The primary suite has a cozy seating area.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Schumer commented on the poll, which comes more than three years before the potential Senate primary clash could unfold.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2025
Also referred to as petroleum jelly, which is the primary ingredient of Vaseline, it was invented during the 1800s as a cure-all balm and has become a household staple since.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Photo : Jo David for Sotheby’s International Realty The primary suite has a cozy seating area.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Schumer commented on the poll, which comes more than three years before the potential Senate primary clash could unfold.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The first drop pays homage to Jackson, Wyo., where Season 2 begins, after the two main characters found temporary refuge there in Season 1.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The reaction was immediate and polarized — cheers erupted from some fans who are accustomed to Barkley’s blunt, unfiltered style, while others booed in audible disgust.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Coach Prime effect was immediate: the Buffaloes sold out every home game last season.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In Florida’s 1st congressional district covering the Panhandle, Republican Jimmy Patronis, the state’s chief financial officer, handily captured the seat held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The upturn was the result of somewhat lower mortgage interest rates and more homes for sale, said Jordan Levine, senior vice president and chief economist at the California Association of Realtors.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since Naeher announced the end of her international career, Hayes has called in six goalkeepers (counting her preliminary squad and January training camp), with no clarity on who has the upper hand to start.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Tacopina had begun working Ephron, the accusing witness, a year before the trial in the preliminary hearing.—
Julian Sancton,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Chemical control: Pesticides must make direct contact with the adult insect to be effective, and thrips are protected within the buds and plant tissues.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
-
While egg donation typically doesn’t involve direct contact with the resulting kids, one of the six families Pucci donated to had a different vision.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Through them, the Chinese firm has persuaded the president to defend a tool wielded by America’s foremost foreign adversary.—
The Editors,
National Review,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Donovan is one of the world’s foremost experts on Steve, a light spectacle that has only recently been studied and is occasionally visible in northern latitudes during an aurora.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The overdraft rule, which the consumer bureau finalized in December after years of preparatory work, was scheduled to take effect in late 2025.—
Stacy Cowley,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Those were narrowed down to just three this week: time between teacher evaluations, additional elementary instructional preparatory time and raises for veteran teachers.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The policies announced so far in Trump's current term are on track to push the average tariff to 22.5%, per the Yale Budget Lab. Flashback: From the colonial era through the early 1900s, tariffs were the predominant source of the federal government's revenue.—
Neil Irwin,
Axios,
5 Apr. 2025
-
During oral arguments, Louisiana and its backers sought to argue that there was a difference between considering race when creating the congressional maps versus viewing race as the predominant factor.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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