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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chief
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
In a fresh update from Iran, parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the country is selling oil at a 20% premium to pre-war crude prices.
—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
1 July 2026
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Sumstad became the department’s first female deputy chief when she was promoted in 2023.
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Specialty packaging manufacturer Novolex hired Dan Debicella as chief commercial transformation and strategy officer, effective June 22.
—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
In a fresh update from Iran, parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the country is selling oil at a 20% premium to pre-war crude prices.
—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
1 July 2026
Noun
Miami Circle gets historic recognition Carr and other experts, with the support of Ryan Wheeler, then the state’s chief of archaeology, built a case that gradually came to mainstream scientific and scholarly acceptance.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Sumstad became the department’s first female deputy chief when she was promoted in 2023.
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
Because Swift has no docking ports or grappling fixtures to grab onto, Katalyst built its 880-pound, 5-foot tall LINK spacecraft with a custom robotic capture mechanism that will attach to a feature on the satellite’s main structure.
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One of the festival’s main attractions is the FIFA store, an 8,000-square-foot indoor facility on the east side of the grounds.
Adjective
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The day’s matches started off with a thrilling contest between Norway and the Ivory Coast, which went all the way down to the final minutes before one of the tournament’s foremost stars scored a crucial goal to send the Norwegians through.
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
Noun
-
Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.
-
But Vozinha dived, fully extended his body, and knocked the ball away.
Noun
-
In the weeks since Fable 5 and Mythos 5 were forced out of commission, industry leaders and experts became increasingly worried that the ad-hoc ban would threaten America’s AI lead against China.
-
According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
Adjective
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Roughly two-thirds of American households own their primary residence, according to the Federal Survey of Consumer Finances from 2022, the most recent edition.
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The capacity of the primary viewing area at the Washington Monument is set at about 150,000, according to Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David Yamen, who runs the agency's dignitary protective division.
Adjective
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And beyond all the light and magic of their goals, this was just a very commanding team performance.
-
The venue falls within the NYPD's Patrol Borough Manhattan South, whose commanding officer was reassigned last week amid an internal affairs corruption probe.
Noun
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Reflective, multilayer shields will block the most heat, and ones with a thicker foam core will work much better than thin ones.
-
Sperm production works best at a temperature slightly cooler than core body temperature.
Noun
-
Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
-
And ordering wine even when the boss hasn’t is exactly that—showing bold initiative.
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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