1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
our chief priority this year will be cutting the budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority
the chief administrator will be retiring soon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in body
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the chief of the estate was left to the eldest son
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
our chief is out on a business trip right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chief
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But the Connector will run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre expanse of state land that provides habitat for many fragile plants and animals, said Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
In late January, a LAF chief reportedly sent a classified document to Hezbollah.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
As the chief federal law enforcement officer, Grant is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the U.S. in civil cases.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But the Connector will run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre expanse of state land that provides habitat for many fragile plants and animals, said Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Two top aides to Johnson, including Kennedy Bartley, the mayor’s chief of external affairs, and Jason Lee, Johnson’s senior adviser, were also at the meeting Wednesday.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
In late January, a LAF chief reportedly sent a classified document to Hezbollah.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
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Blood of My Blood tells the origin stories of the Outlander main characters' families, in this epic romantic drama.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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The report outlined three main policy goals: improving student literacy, strengthening the teacher workforce, and empowering parents.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Always look for those with methylcobalamin on the label, as this is the most bioavailable form of B12, meaning the body can absorb it the best.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
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Her client list is a testament to her method that has sculpted the bodies of many Hollywood movie stars, like Blunt, who Monique prepared for the grueling action movie Edge of Tomorrow, where the actress starred with Tom Cruise.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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San Diego State is recognizing the 10th anniversary of its 2015 Mountain West football championship team this season, with former coach Rocky Long and NCAA career rushing leader DJ Pumphrey leading the way.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
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Thomas Frank’s Brentford were — as in previous seasons — league leaders here, with 103 penalty-box throws and six goals from throw-ins.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
James DiNardo,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Cornell was the foremost beneficiary of the Morrill Act Both Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin are land-grant universities that profited from lands taken from Indigenous nations, as did at least 50 other universities throughout the U.S.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The core of the team remains in place, which puts pressure on 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to play at a high level or at least not mess things up.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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And if the core problem here is that matches will be taken away from clubs’ traditional locations — and more pertinently, their traditional fans — that is on the clubs themselves and, in the case of Villarreal versus Barcelona, the Spanish federation.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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On Monday morning, league bosses Roger Goodell, Adam Silver, Rob Manfred, and Gary Bettman were asked to participate in a briefing on matters related to the sports broadcasting market, including those having to do with blackout exemptions.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Take that away and Premier League boss Richard Masters is going to have an even harder time trying to convince his shareholders to send more money down the pipe before the new independent football regulator makes them.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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France is, however, the primary importer of Mauritian nutmeg today.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Aug. 2025
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This time the logo appeared as part of a broader Leidos sponsorship on Bubba Wallace’s Toyota, giving the Space Force visibility within a partnership rather than as the primary branding.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Paxton has held a commanding polling lead for months, fueling concern among national Republicans that his nomination could give Democrats a stronger shot at flipping a longtime red seat.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Aug. 2025
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Trent Grisham also mashed a three-run shot off the right-field foul pole to give the Bombers what looked like a commanding 9-4 lead.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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