Essential, cardinal, beginning, and earliest are all synonyms for primary. Secondary and subordinate are these antonyms of primary. And here are another 30 synonyms for primary.
Primary Synonyms
1. prime
- Cardinal
- Central
- Chief
- Dominant
- First
- Foremost
- Key
- Main
- Major
- Master
- Most important
- Overriding
- Paramount
- Pre-eminent
- Predominant
- Prime
- Principal
- Ruling
- Supreme
- Ultimate
- Number-one
2. beginning
- Beginning
- Earliest
- Essential
- First
- Fundamental
- Initial
- Original
- Basic