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 Previous work on drone-control interfaces has explored tablet-like displays and supporting hardware that allow pilots to communicate mission instructions without significantly disrupting their primary flying duties. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 And that's what the primary locating tool should be for law enforcement, police K-9. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The upper level will have a primary bedroom and bathroom, two other bedrooms, another bathroom and a laundry room. — Joe Marusak october 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026 Oil is an input cost for polyester production, and polyester is cotton’s primary competitor for fiber market share. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary

Adjective

Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

An area attorney and former chief public defender who was arrested earlier this year on multiple felony drug charges after a raid on his residence was arrested again early Monday on drug and gun charges following a traffic stop.

— Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
The festival’s advisory group includes director Dan Löwenstein, founder of House of Create, vertical drama critic and consultant Jen Cooper of Vertical Drama Love, and Christine Hartland, co-founder and chief operating officer of My Smash Media.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

There are also plans afoot by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) called SNA3G, which are preliminary plans for an eventual replacement of the Suffren-class in the future.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Martelly’s name was among 16 listed Friday on the Provisional Electoral Council’s website as having preliminary registered to run.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

The defense team plans to employ Othram to conduct a Y-STR test, a method that isolates DNA from the Y chromosome to generate a profile of a male contributor in samples where female DNA is predominant.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
There are two predominant rumors about how a wild herd ended up in the Inland Empire, Spasojevic said.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Fire officials were most concerned with keeping the blaze north of Encinal Canyon Road, one of the few natural firebreaks in the immediate area.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

One man who always has a lot to say is Josh Pate, the college football commentator who started from humble beginnings and is now one of the foremost voices in the sport.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
If aesthetics is the foremost priority, Lulu and Georgia offers office furniture that would look more at home in an interior design studio than a corporate high-rise.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Chinese, Russian troops train together The PLA contingent traveled to Russia by road, rail and air and participated in the preparatory phase alongside forces from Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Account managers have seen their preparatory work shrink—AI can assemble meeting notes, summarize calls, draft follow-ups and flag patterns across client communication.

— Victor Karpenko, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026