chief 1 of 2

adjective

ˈchēf How to pronounce chief (audio)
Definition of chiefnext
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance our chief priority this year will be cutting the budget

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2
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority the chief administrator will be retiring soon

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chief

2 of 2

noun

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

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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

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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 chief
Adjective
John Kay, The Sun’s then-chief reporter, used to say that whatever words a subject uttered was copy. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers, made a similar point. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
For some people, xylitol can offset sugar consumption when used in moderation and judiciously, which may benefit cardiometabolic health, said Deepak Talreja, MD, FACC, chief of cardiology at Sentara Health. — Lauren Manaker Ms, HEALTH, 8 Sep. 2026 One of the most measurable changes so far however has been to tech chiefs’ own paychecks. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
  1. main
  2. foremost
  3. body
  4. leader
  5. primary
  6. commanding
  7. core
  8. boss
Adjective
  • Rhodes owes Orton another lick after getting punted in the head following their WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event brawl.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Spectrum’s second flight began with ignition of the rocket’s nine Aquila main engines, burning a mixture of propane and liquid oxygen propellants to generate more than 150,000 pounds (675 kilonewtons) of thrust.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Iran’s foremost vulnerability to sanctions and the blockade remains its persistent need for imports, which totaled $17 billion in the first five months of this Iranian calendar year beginning in March.
    — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Asked about their firm’s primary hurdle in managing the current trade landscape, the vast majority (57 percent) said policy uncertainty, like tariffs changing with little notice, as their foremost challenge.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of foremost
Noun
  • That designation will allow the Chiefs to purchase property for the stadium and training facility and convey it to the corporate body to avoid paying state or local taxes that residents and business owners must pay annually.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Truekind’s mission is to provide all women with bras that are kind to the body, ensuring the most comfortable fit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • New Hampshire’s premier Senate race is on after party leaders secured their top choices in what’s shaping up to be one of the tightest contests in the entire country come November.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Singapore pays its political leaders high salaries to attract talent and deter graft, but the issue is thorny in the city-state, where the median wage worker made S$5,775 ($736) a month in 2025.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of leader
Adjective
  • The club prefers Taylor to serve as the primary organizational voice to relay its message — and to take the brunt of criticism.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The charcoal floor tiling and island in the corner kitchen feel like something Rick Owens would have dreamed up, as are the primary bathroom’s concrete floors and shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding
Noun
  • Yarbo later acknowledged the core technical findings and began rolling out fixes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But the core four aren’t the only transplants from Woodsboro, as Ghostface soon rears its ugly head, directly targeting them and whomever else is caught up in their orbit.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • More than a decade ago, the two researchers were introduced by their mutual boss, the chancellor at UCSF, who encouraged them to collaborate.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, the movie portrays three working women who rebel against their sexist boss.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of boss

Phrases Containing chief

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chiding
chief
chief justice
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Cite this Entry

“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chief

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