SECONDARY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

secondary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-kən-ˌder-ē

Definition of secondary

as in derivative

taken or created from something original or basic history textbooks are secondary sources for historical information and do not represent original research

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minor

of little or less value or merit we need to focus on getting the groceries bought and the rent paid—everything else is secondary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

secondary

2 of 2

noun

as in dependent

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 secondary

Adjective

According to a rep for the brand, Martin used a 40/60 split between first-fill and second-fill stout barrels, and the whiskey spent between six and 24 months in those casks for the secondary maturation. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 In training camp, Steward worked at nickel and at safety, but the personnel moves around the secondary have factored him out. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Perhaps the best test in this joint practice will be how the Chargers’ quarterbacks, specifically Justin Herbert and former 49ers draft bust Trey Lance, attack a 49ers’ secondary that has impressed all camp. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Scott isn’t the only one in the secondary who needed to recover in the offseason. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secondary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary

Adjective

The best solution, their letter said, would be to avoid imposing tariffs on semiconductors and derivative products entirely.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
OpenAI stopped all training and inference related to that model, as well as its derivative models, on July 25.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of derivative

Adjective

Steppach, 49, was the owner of Tim’s Tavern on Edison Avenue, where people protested daily in December after Steppach pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2026
The anger fueled the rise of Sanseito, a minor right-wing party that rallied against immigrants in recent elections, putting pressure on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party government.

— Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Gwyn’s, however, who Richard considers to be his inferior, has jettisoned into success and is in the running for a huge literary prize.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Curiously, cobalt was linked with a small rise in amyloid-beta proteins in the inferior temporal cortex.

— Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

Noun

Many Hindus today identify as Shaivas, Vaishnavas, or Shaktas, sectarian groups that, respectively, worship Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti as supreme, with all other deities considered as manifestations or subordinates.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The judge found that the three did, in fact, violate the charter, which states that council members may not interfere with appointments or removals in the city manager’s office, or give orders to the city manager’s subordinates.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of subordinate

Adjective

England, Wales and Northern Ireland all set records for mean summer temperatures, though Scotland, which was cooler and less dry, tied its sixth warmest summer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Line Islands corals show a similar mean increase but far wider scatter, which the researchers partly attribute to these records’ reliance on oxygen isotopes alone.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mean

Noun

The junior ran for 99 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the Cardinal’s 37-27 win against Hawaii on Saturday to begin Stanford’s season.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Agencies should train juniors to question AI’s outputs, connect insights across data and turn analysis into meaningful actions and business outcomes.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of junior

Noun

But the only clinical trial data that Dyson has been able to provide to Allure is a four-week study of 60 subjects, comparing the results of a manual toothbrush and a CameraJet.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Too invested in protecting its models and fitting in, the Establishment had unfairly treated exciting subjects like cryonics (humans being frozen for future revival) and self-replicating nanomachines.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026