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
The move comes as the Trump administration looks to completely revamp the United States' approach to AI and move away from safety as a primary goal.
—
Sam Sabin, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
English speakers on this itinerary should know that French is the primary language on shore at times.
—Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025
Myers factored centrally into the Canucks’ second goal, this time with a primary assist.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 28 Feb. 2025
Reclaimed white pine flooring by the Hudson Company stands in handsome contrast to board-and-batten paneling in the primary bathroom, where the tub is by Randolph Morris.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Sam Sabin, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
English speakers on this itinerary should know that French is the primary language on shore at times.
—Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025
Myers factored centrally into the Canucks’ second goal, this time with a primary assist.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 28 Feb. 2025
Reclaimed white pine flooring by the Hudson Company stands in handsome contrast to board-and-batten paneling in the primary bathroom, where the tub is by Randolph Morris.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
-
My one and only visit was decades ago, in middle school, when my main priority was riding the roller coaster.—
Mariah Tyler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to a cozy and updated three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot main home, there’s a small 19th-century cabin with a rock chimney still standing on the property.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In the immediate aftermath, figures such as Issa Rae canceled their shows, and Ben Folds and Renee Fleming withdrew as advisers.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Paradise was an immediate fan favorite, and Hulu wasted no time announcing that the edge-of-your-seat story would continue.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Meet The Experts Linh Calhoun is chief marketing officer at Replacements, Ltd. Kit Webb is a designer and builder sales representative with Sewell Appliance Gentle Vs.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said that revenge killings stopped early Saturday.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but the state’s lawyers in November agreed not to enforce it until Walker rules on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction.—
Dara Kam,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The preliminary injunction continued to block the pause.—
Kevin Freking,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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
Adjective
-
The biographical circumstances and the reddish tinge of the foremost prisoner’s hair have led commentators to interpret the image metaphorically, even solipsistically––the prisoner becomes a cipher for van Gogh, physically and psychologically incarcerated.—
Sarah C. Schaefer,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Christian Oberbeck,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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
Adjective
-
Here’s how Stein went from making muffin mixes in her New York apartment’s kitchen to building one of the country’s predominant granola brands.—
Ryan Johnston,Zachary Green,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The predominant tone in the conspiracy films of the 1970s is futility.—
Chris Vognar,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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