PRIMARY Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

primary

adjective

ˈprī-ˌmer-ē

Definition of primary

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

as in direct

done or working without something else coming in between a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chief

highest in rank or authority the movie's primary screenwriter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 By contrast, the clearest long-term winners treated the creation of customer value as primary and used digital technology, and later AI, as means to that end. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Its open-plan layout includes a freestanding wood-burning stove, pale wood floors, and a kitchen with a waterfall island and flat-front cabinets, plus a primary bedroom and bunk room. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026 The primary aim of this program is to attract and retain companies in target industries and increase the number of high-paying jobs for local residents. — Stephanie Leiser, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 If Miller, who won his Republican primary unopposed, reverses course and drops out of the race by Aug, 5, GOP leaders could pick a replacement candidate to run in the November midterms general election. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

Speaking to voters Of course, there are skeptics everywhere in this arena, not least concerning the two main protagonists.

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
This main event headlines the first PBC world title fight of the new DAZN era, also broadcast on Prime Video.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

For maximum flowering, select a growing location with rich, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had again poured cold water on the notion of direct negotiations with the United States.

— Mike Sheen, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

In a new subscriber-exclusive newsletter, NBC News’ chief data analyst, Steve Kornacki, will get into the numbers, trends and data shaping the biggest stories heading into the midterms.

— Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
Disney's chief product and technology officer, Adam Smith, reportedly discussed the possibility of a free tier during an internal company town hall earlier this week.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

Jakoi placed second in the 100-meter preliminary event and fourth in the 200-meter preliminary event, according to online meet results as of Tuesday night.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
After a highly competitive preliminary audition process, six finalists from across the country were selected to compete in the final round.

— Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

With predominant compensation associated with clinical performance, the other aspects can gradually mount and lead to burnout.

— Nishtha Sareen, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

Today, perhaps the foremost image of a moderate is that of a centrist on a left-right spectrum.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Briggs, the architect, built a reputation for bespoke luxury homes along the Orange County coast and was named among Architectural Digest’s 100 foremost architects in 1991, according to background materials from the listing team.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Prince Gabriel, 22, completed a one-year preparatory course at the National Mathematics & Science College in England before graduating from the Royal Military Academy of Belgium.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
The Western Cape High Court judgment on Friday does not stop the impeachment committee from doing other preparatory work for the pending proceedings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026