as in priority
the right to one's attention before other things considered less important
his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 precedence
Stories prey on our emotions, not our rationality, and in many cases, the former takes precedence over the latter.
—
Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
The tight ensemble — Hadras, Moreno and Herndon — takes storytelling precedence.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Trump may attempt to revive Section 338 of the antiquated 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which theoretically allows the president to hit discriminatory countries with tariffs of up to 50%, but Ashworth sees courts ruling that the explicit provisions of the 1974 Trade Act would take legal precedence.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Development takes precedence over regulations in order to stay ahead.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
The tight ensemble — Hadras, Moreno and Herndon — takes storytelling precedence.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Trump may attempt to revive Section 338 of the antiquated 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which theoretically allows the president to hit discriminatory countries with tariffs of up to 50%, but Ashworth sees courts ruling that the explicit provisions of the 1974 Trade Act would take legal precedence.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Development takes precedence over regulations in order to stay ahead.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
-
Every nation has put quantum in their top five priorities.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The White House offer does not address several of the Democrats' top priorities, including requiring judicial warrants to enter private properties and barring agents from wearing masks, which obscures identities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precedence. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
