Research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits leave a lasting mark on certain circuits in the brain, "priming us to feed our cravings."
Source: tatoeba (11123237)
Priming
/ˈpɹaɪmɪŋ/
Synonyms for "priming" (106 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (22)
Noun(5 words)
Adjective(1 words)
associative influence
Strong matches (31)
Related words (53)
mediummercury fulminateopaque colorpaintpaintingpercussion cappigmentpre-educationpreinstructionprimacordprime coatprimershellackingsquibstainstainingstipplingtemperathinnertinction
Show 11 more words
tincturetransparent colorturpentineturpsundercoatundercoatingvarnishingvehiclewashwash coatwhitewashing
Noun(22 words)
preconditioningpreexposureprelearningpreparationpreparation for lessonspreparatorypreparatory studypreparepreparingprimeprimedprimerprimer coatprimer-coatedpriming coatpromptingreadyseed pretreatmentsensitizingstarter
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: activation, associative influence, blasting cap, calcimining, cap.
- Sentence evidence is available for priming, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "priming".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "priming"
Keep "priming" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "priming" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "priming", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "priming" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
19 entriesactionadjectivecoat of paintcoatingcognitive processeducational activityigniterignitorlearning strategylightlightermodifierpreconditioningpreparationpsychological processpsychology concept
Showing 16 of 19 words.
More specific
20 entriesadvance organizersbackground primingbase coatconcept primingconceptual priminghydropriminginstructionosmoprimingpracticepretrainingpreview questionsprimer coatprimer layerprimer paintprior knowledge activationprocedural priming
Showing 16 of 20 words.
Collocations
15 entriesprime a deviceprime a lessonprime a studentprime the brainprime the mindpriming effectpriming materialspriming paradigmpriming phasepriming procedurepriming stimulipriming stimuluspriming studypriming taskshort priming
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
8 entriesSample sentences
3 total sentences available.
The spot was bright and lively now; but in winter it became necessary to place sandbags against the door, and to stuff up the keyhole against the wind and rain, which had worn the paint so thin that the priming and knotting showed through.
Source: wiktionary
There have been failures, of course, and especially delays due to bad steaming, and, more often, priming.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "priming"?
Closest matches include activation, associative influence, blasting cap, calcimining, cap.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "priming"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.