primarying

[ prahy-mer-ee-ing-muh-ree- ]

noun

, U.S. Politics.

1. the mounting of a challenge to the incumbent in a primary election:

   There were many instances of primarying during the last election cycle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of primarying¹

First recorded in 2010–15; primary ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Those threats emanate from Donald Trump’s sardonic musings about “primarying” Republicans who cooperate with Democrats.

From Salon

“That’s a red flag when your head of government is primarying her own party. It is an indication that the ideologies are becoming more extreme,” said Kelly Shaw, the former nonpartisan mayor of the town of Indianola who now teaches political science at Iowa State University.

From Washington Post

Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Nadler found themselves primarying one another this election cycle, after 30 years of serving together as political allies in Congress, because a court-appointed special master re-drew parts of their original districts into one Manhattan district.

From Washington Times

“We need to make sure that we’re holding gun shops and gun manufacturers accountable,” says Kina Collins, a gun-violence prevention advocate who is primarying Congressman Danny Davis in Illinois’ 7th District—which includes some of Chicago’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, as well as parts of suburbs where gun dealerships are located.

From Scientific American

In an interview with The New York Times, Ms. Biaggi said Mr. Maloney is poised to say she is “hurting the party” by primarying him.

From Washington Times