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 While the stochastic oscillator is overbought, as long as its reading remains above 80%, the bullish signals from MACD take precedence. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025 Your personal life takes precedence over everything else this month, Sagittarius. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Giving the team a memorable experience has taken precedence, but Helton is looking forward to his own return as well. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025 Market/compete If adhocracy is all about taking risks, and celebrating that effort even in failure, market/compete is much more rigid — the bottom line takes precedence. Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
  • These pressures, along with a variety of professional and societal stressors, make well-being and work-life balance a top priority.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Michigan lawmakers are looking to join a growing number of states working to tighten or restrict access to online pornography — although the legislation doesn't currently appear to be a priority in either the state House or Senate.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on precedence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!