primary

adjective

ˈprī-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce primary (audio)
Definition of primarynext
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
as in immediate
done or working without something else coming in between a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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 primary Should Vivek Ramaswamy prevail in the primary and general election next year in Ohio, there will be even greater competition among Republican governors to become the nation’s ninth no-income-tax-state. — Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 There are two main categories of headaches: primary and secondary. — Korin Miller, SELF, 13 Mar. 2025 Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value. — Siena Gagliano, Allure, 13 Mar. 2025 State law also indicates the special primary election must be between 120 to 130 days after the vacancy occurs and that the special general election must be between 70 and 80 days after the special primary. — John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
  1. main
  2. immediate
  3. chief
  4. preliminary
  5. direct
  6. foremost
  7. preparatory
  8. predominant
Adjective
  • Everybody plays numerous parts, assigned without regard to gender (there’s even a cameo for Fleming), but the anchors are Cumming’s Cholmondeley, the nerd who came up the audacious idea, and Hodgson’s Montagu, the operation’s main manager and salesman.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The physical pop-up takes over The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s 1,600-square foot main floor space, as well as displays in the store’s Lexington Avenue windows for the launch.
    — Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of all taken into custody.
    — TIME, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
  • As the sun and Neptune join forces in Pisces, everything from your immediate environment to your communication style is highlighted.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Professional Triathletes Organisation Names Stuart Ramsey as CCO The Professional Triathletes Organisation has named Stuart Ramsey as its first chief commercial officer.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Next to Scavino, in the office Steve Bannon used during his seven months as chief strategist the first Trump administration, is James Blair, a deputy chief of staff who served as political director for Mr. Trump's 2024 campaign.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Additionally, a total of 38 deaths were reported based on preliminary numbers.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The thing is, two federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions blocking the spending freeze, in response to lawsuits claiming the president has no authority to block money approved by Congress.
    — Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • Of the 71 goals Barca have scored in La Liga, 16 have been from set pieces (seven from corners, one from a direct free kick, four from free kicks and four from the penalty spot).
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The exercises come after a monthslong Iranian drill that followed a direct Israeli attack on the country, targeting its air defenses and sites associated with its ballistic missile program.
    — Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of direct
Adjective
  • Saltzman said China and Russia, which military leaders consider America's foremost strategic competitors, are moving ahead of the United States with technologies and techniques to attack satellites in orbit.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
  • My foremost camera concern is image quality, and that’s where Apple really cannot hang with cheaper Android alternatives.
    — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • This method can temporarily manage symptoms or serve as a preparatory step before a more comprehensive surgical procedure.11 2.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
Definition of preparatory
Adjective
  • Spirit is headquartered in Dania Beach and remains one of the predominant carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
    — David Lyons, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • One of the predominant worries of our age is the desire to live authentically.
    — David Katz, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of predominant

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Cite this Entry

“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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