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

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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 The judge ruled that while Tempel was speaking as a private citizen, her tweet disrupted school operations, giving the district's interests precedence. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025 In the end, acting took precedence. Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025 In the dissent, Justice Melissa Standridge wrote that because the two laws conflict in their approach to handling religious exemptions, the federal law should take precedence. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025 Against Union and Nottingham Forest, positive results must take precedence over performances. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
  • This three-year agreement saves the Equity-League Health Fund while also making strides in our other priorities, including scheduling and physical therapy access.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The goal is to go to from the current 449 locations, to 350 or so, including the 125 priority stores that will get disproportionately higher investment for things like more staffing and new lighting.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precedence. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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