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

In May, Tennessee stopped the execution of Tony Carruthers after staff placed an IV into his right arm but couldn’t get a secondary IV line. — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Dwyer generated multiple chunk plays on vertical routes and routinely won his matchup against UCF’s secondary. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Safety Jamir Conn, another LSN alum, rose from the FCS ranks at Southern Illinois to be a key contributor in the secondary. — Pj Green september 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 Miami's young secondary was exploited by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, both lines were overmatched physically, and the offense was inconsistent. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secondary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secondary

Adjective

Generally considered more potent than traditional retinol, the vitamin A derivative releases gradually thanks to crystal encapsulation technology.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
This summer, McCurdy told a committee of Georgia lawmakers that such derivative products have a high potential for abuse and are causing deaths in his state.

— Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of derivative

Adjective

The bus and a security checkpoint booth were damaged, and one border service employee suffered minor injuries, police said.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
In the 120 years that the State Russian Museum has owned the painting, only minor conservation has been carried out.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

After years of looking inferior to its Western brethren, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is enjoying a renaissance, galvanized by a steady influx of talent and the relocation of star players to new teams.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Brandon put up big numbers against inferior opponents, but struggled against Texas and Auburn, and Heupel clearly doesn’t see this as a development year for his team.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of inferior

Noun

Keeping track of scheming or incompetent subordinates has always been the autocrat’s chief burden.

— Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Investigators have accused one of his subordinates of running a fraud scheme, though Kravchenko himself has not been charged or named a suspect.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of subordinate

Adjective

There’s a wide array of options in this oddly-perfect elegant ballroom, along with a specialty chef that whips up a mean omelet before your eyes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The releases buy time, but mean inventories are being consumed rather than rebuilt, making restocking a longer-term source of demand.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of mean

Noun

White Settlement Brewer senior running back Kameron Coleman — who rushed for 1,804 yards as a junior — announced his commitment to Wyoming on social media after an official visit with the Cowboys.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Wyatt Joyce dribbled the ball 13 yards to the MTSU 48, where it was recovered by KU’s Ezra Vedral, a junior from Omaha.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of junior

Noun

Drawn to the tactile and familiar qualities of paper, Teo uses playful forms and visual metaphors to transform everyday subjects and construct whimsical, imagined worlds.

— New York Times Games, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
The same is true for Sabonis, who continues to be the subject of trade rumors.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026