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
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Recent Examples of chief
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
This is the vision of Christopher Sharp, a physician at Stanford Health Care and chief medical information officer at Stanford University Medical Center.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Steve Large, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The documents were largely not significant, however in those DEP boxes there is a memo from the assistant chief of the Law Department’s World Trade Center Unit, which was created in the fall of 2002.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Harbor Fund wants to reach $100 million in the next two years, said Hadley, who previously served as chief development officer for advocacy organization Global Citizen and has produced its annual festival in New York’s Central Park that supports social issues.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
This is the vision of Christopher Sharp, a physician at Stanford Health Care and chief medical information officer at Stanford University Medical Center.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
In 2023, the Manteca police chief crafted a first-of-its-kind local ordinance specifically to stop swerving.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The documents were largely not significant, however in those DEP boxes there is a memo from the assistant chief of the Law Department’s World Trade Center Unit, which was created in the fall of 2002.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
The drinks themselves Berghain’s drink selection is certainly not the club’s main point of attraction.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Then his main competitor, Yuma Yagiyama of Japan, had a subpar skate just before Malinin took the ice as the last skater of the night.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
La Sultana’s signature hammam also includes an extra body mask step after exfoliation, comprising a choice of either Moroccan Argan oil or natural Ghassoul clay sourced from the Atlas mountains.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Doug wouldn’t let his body get him down, although Lord knows his body tried.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After deliberations stretching across three weeks, the Sacramento City Council appointed Tuesday a new leader for a local agency tasked with overseeing public housing.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Here are the foremost players who hit that category for the Broncos in 2026, according to OvertheCap.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Then, about four to five billion years later, our Sun will run out of hydrogen fuel in its core, evolving into a red giant.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
For short-term rentals, check out the Historic District or find more affordable options in the Midtown area or other neighborhoods a little farther out from the city’s core.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Emma Laird is Shannon, this outwardly confident daughter of a crime boss, who is desperate to find real love.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Turnout on the second day of early voting in Tarrant County outshined the already impressive number of ballots cast on Day One of the primary races.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
-
A lot has changed in New Albany in the 174 years since the church opened and its clock tower served as the town’s primary time source.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In an indictment Thursday, federal prosecutors said Kevin Taylor attempted to steer an $11 million contract toward the company, SaferWatch, while serving as the commanding officer of the department's School Safety Division.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The President demoted Greg Bovino, the commanding agent in charge of the roving patrols that have besieged Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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