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
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
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
-
Egg is one of the nine main food allergens, along with milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The group was dealt another blow with the fall of the Assad family's five-decade rule in Syria in early December, which blocked a main route for the flow of weapons and money from Iran.—
BASSEM MROUE,
arkansasonline.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Conveniently placed less than a 15-minute drive from Iowa State University and downtown Ames, the home’s rural setting appears a world away from any major metropolis, part of the immediate appeal for the right type of buyer.—
Richard Lane,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
And the dismissal of C.Q. Brown will have immediate ramifications.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Dana Levenson was the city’s chief financial officer from 2004 to 2007.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The private sector and the military were arguably better positioned to become the chief stewards of American scientific inquiry.—
Trysh Travis / Made by History,
TIME,
25 Feb. 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
-
The claim: Zelenskyy blocked access to Truth Social in Ukraine A Feb. 20 Threads post (direct link, archive link) claims a social media platform launched years ago by President Donald Trump is no longer available in a certain country.—
Chris Mueller,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Another had provided direct care to veterans in the behavioral health acute care clinic, which is part of the rehabilitation wing, according to one of the employees who spoke on condition on anonymity.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 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
-
The predominant flavors are salt and starch, unattractive in print but deeply comforting on a steaming spoon.—
Bradley Hohulin,
The Indianapolis Star,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Miso is a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking and is the predominant flavor in things like miso soup.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share