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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Meredith will likely be the Jets’ primary backup center, replacing Xavier Newman-Johnson, who was released Sunday and later placed on their practice squad. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 As the letter notes, the Board of Education and the school district have the primary responsibility for protecting the health and safety of our students and staff. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 The telescope’s primary mirror is the same size as that of Hubble. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Outfitted with two primary instruments, the observatory provides a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to explore vast swaths of the sky. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Katarzyna Nowakowska, Poland's deputy minister for family, labor and social policy, told the AP that the most vulnerable applicants still receive direct help from the state and any other refugees needing support should turn to social workers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
To enjoy it past its best-by date safely, store your tea bags in a cool, dry place away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight, Tucker says.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

In light of the strong growth and inflation figures, the BOK would likely need to continue to raise rates, albeit with some caution, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
After years of analysis, Caltrans has decided to weave strong micropiles into the 499 aging piles that now support the bridge’s piers, said Allan Kosup, chief deputy director of Caltrans District 11 in San Diego and Imperial counties.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

The 70% preliminary expectation wildly exceeded projections for fiscal 2028 revenue of roughly $570 billion, or 44% growth from fiscal 2027 (the current year).

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Two small cedar trees were found snapped at the trunk, and that’s the extent of the storm damage, investigators said in a preliminary report.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 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

The oil market remains in backwardation, a phenomenon that occurs where futures contracts with immediate or near-term deliveries sell at a premium over later deliveries, suggesting an expectation that prices will fall over time.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
This weekend, religious leaders are expected to travel to Springfield to request the immediate release of one of the pastors, Joubert Adrien, from immigration detention after he was detained while riding as a passenger in a car.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Alanna Rizzo is one of the foremost authorities on Major League Baseball.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Baniewicz was hired by Bishop Miege in 2023 after serving nearly 14 years as president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, a college preparatory boarding school in Atchison.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
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