1
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the prime strategist in the senator's presidential campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind
owns a thousand acres of prime farmland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bloom
a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement
in the prime of her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in best
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
chose the prime of the litter of pups
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to ground
Related Words
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 prime
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Ice-rich comets or drier asteroids are the two prime suspects.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Our experts assure us that this doesn’t mean that the eggs are past their prime; the shift in hue is just the result of a natural chemical reaction prompted by the boiling process.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Even mountaineering training guidance includes step-up exercises to help prime the glutes and quads for intense uphill climbs with a load on your back.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prime
Adjective
That led to a turnover that created a prime chance for Guentzel, but Schenn was steady, bringing some of the sturdiness Ruff was looking for in front of Buffalo’s net.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Ice-rich comets or drier asteroids are the two prime suspects.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Ashley Dixon, content creator and home DIY expert behind Alexander Renee Design, says that the process is straightforward, and should start with emptying your fridge of items past their prime.
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Our experts assure us that this doesn’t mean that the eggs are past their prime; the shift in hue is just the result of a natural chemical reaction prompted by the boiling process.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
This is pretty expected, given that Deadline also hears the two groups have been communicating informally for several months to signal priorities and prime the pump ahead of time.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Even mountaineering training guidance includes step-up exercises to help prime the glutes and quads for intense uphill climbs with a load on your back.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prime
Adjective
-
Faced with the higher costs now anticipated for the project, the mayor’s administration first plans to ask county commissioners for an additional $71 million to cover renovation costs, according to Edwards, chief administrative officer under Levine Cava.—
Douglas Hanks
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Swank is also the chief development officer with Job One KC, an organization providing employment opportunities and community services for individuals with disabilities.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Alliums are excellent neighbors to beets, brassicas, tomatoes, and more.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This bracelet makes an excellent Mother’s Day jewelry gift.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Airlie Gardens is also the best place to see the city’s collection of blush and hot pink azalea blooms every spring.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Water the Plant Once planted, water it consistently from the beginning of the bloom to harvest.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But, a couple of injuries for Blackwood, combined with his own work, has allowed Wedgewood to start 40 games and appear in 42 this season -- easily career-bests at the NHL level.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Rice this season produced career bests in points, field-goal accuracy, rebounds and steals.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That mix of nature and physical movement kept me grounded.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Brewers eventually loaded the bases with two outs before Ortiz grounded out to the mound to end it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Chernyshov is a big, strong (6-foot-3, about 200 pounds) winger and modern power-forward type where driving is a part of his identity, but not to a bullish fault as his only focus, and his skill/finesse might take on greater emphasis.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Polish Remover Wipes are TSA-approved and great for travel.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Pink Moon's name comes from the blooming of a wildflower called ground phlox.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The name comes from seasonal traditions, particularly the blooming of a North American wildflower known as creeping phlox, or moss pink, which flowers at this time of year.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scholars and religious leaders argue that Congo’s political elite should emulate Kimbangu’s spirit of personal sacrifice for freedom rather than pursuing self-enrichment at the expense of the nation’s sovereignty.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But the Tigers need their staff as a whole to be close to elite to make up for some of the offensive holes.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prime. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
