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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of primary
After two decades of Republican governors, many are watching closely to see if Hoosiers will decide as expected or throw in a surprise upset.
— Kayla Dwyer
From the May primary race:Mike Braun is leading the race for governor.
—
Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Studies show that gratitude can reduce cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—by up to 23%, creating a sense of calm and balance even in stressful situations.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Baker seemed skeptical and confused by Republicans’ argument during Tuesday’s hearing, intently questioning lawyers for the RNC about their primary claim.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
This initiative would allow all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to run on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for primary 
Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Studies show that gratitude can reduce cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—by up to 23%, creating a sense of calm and balance even in stressful situations.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Baker seemed skeptical and confused by Republicans’ argument during Tuesday’s hearing, intently questioning lawyers for the RNC about their primary claim.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
This initiative would allow all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to run on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for primary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary
Adjective
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The zinc gradually lost its hold on the cables suspending the telescope’s main platform over the reflector dish.Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
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The measure’s main opponents, the state Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, did not appear to raise any money to campaign against the proposition.Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In the immediate aftermath of a major assassination, groups certainly can experience communications breakdowns, confusion, grief, and paranoia.Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
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The move drew immediate condemnation from the abuse victims and their attorneys, whose lawsuits were effectively paused while a bankruptcy judge reviewed the church’s finances and assets.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But for how much longer?, asked Kevin Garside, chief sports correspondent for the i news site.Harriet Marsden, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
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Nate Cohn, the paper’s chief political analyst, said the Tech Guild does not play a role in the model itself but built and maintains the infrastructure that gives the Needle the necessary data.Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In France, a preliminary investigation does not necessarily mean criminal charges are forthcoming or that a trial will occur.Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
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Investigators searched the offices of U.S. streaming giant Netflix in France and the Netherlands on Tuesday as part of a preliminary investigation into tax fraud and money laundering, a French judicial source close to the investigation told NBC News.Nancy Ing, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The second measure would require certain health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from the discount prescription drug program on direct patient care.Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
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And that’s put him on a direct collision course with some of the 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials who work for the Department of Health and Human Services, especially with President-elect Donald Trump tapping him to head the agency.Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Over the years, the emirate has become a magnet for international entrepreneurs, investors and family offices, transforming the city into one of the world’s foremost hubs for private wealth management.Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Her mother Holly Thomas, who served as her foremost role model, confidante, and motivator, had died the previous year from a brain tumor.Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Basically, those are college prep courses in history/social science, English, math, a foreign language, a laboratory science, visual and performing arts, and a college preparatory elective.Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
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Whenever meteorologists begin mentioning a storm in the Gulf, Atlanta’s Office of Emergency Preparedness springs into preparatory action, Dickens said.Jane Thier, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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One search through artificial intelligence chatbots generates an exponential amount of 25 times more electricity than a Google search and will become the predominant energy consumer across several countries in a mere number of years.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Beijing is used to being the predominant external powerbroker with respect to the North and aims first and foremost to maintain balance and stability on the Korean Peninsula.Daniel DePetris, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near primary
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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