Synonyms of chief

chief 1 of 2

adjective

ˈchēf 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

our chief priority this year will be cutting the budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• greatest
• primary
• highest
• foremost
• predominant
• dominant
• principal
• leading
• first
• big
• supreme
• key
• central
• cardinal
• paramount
• premier
• overriding
• master
• great
• sovereign
• prior
• capital
• primal
• distinguished
• overbearing
• number one
• senior
• preeminent
• major
• top
• eminent
• grand
• overmastering
• illustrious
• outstanding
• notable
• important
• arch
• noteworthy
• high-level
• superior
• prestigious
• signal
• numero uno
• star
• influential
• stellar
• mighty
• renowned
• noble
• famed
• famous
• significant
• incomparable
• celebrated
• unparalleled
• momentous
• unsurpassed
• unequaled
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• least
• minor
• secondary
• subordinate
• unimportant
• slight
• insignificant
• trivial
• negligible
• inferior
• collateral
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• subsidiary
• inconsequential

2

as in presiding

highest in rank or authority

the chief administrator will be retiring soon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• presiding
• foremost
• commanding
• supreme
• principal
• senior
• top
• primary
• leading
• lead
• first
• high
• head
• prime
• premier
• main
• in charge
• preeminent
• supereminent
• major
• supervisory
• high-level
• predominant
• managing
• overseeing
• paramount
• dominant
• reigning
• controlling
• sovereign
• ruling
• officiating
• upper
• directing
• superior
• uppermost
• ascendant
• topmost
• predominate
• regnant
• grand
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• last
• less
• secondary
• lower
• subordinate
• lesser
• subsidiary
• ancillary
• inferior
• lowly
• assistant
• deputy
• junior
• assisting
• under
• coadjutor

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• body
• core
• bulk
• weight
• majority
• main
• staple
• essence
• mass
• burden
• center
• whole
• root
• bottom
• heart
• nature
• entirety
• substance
• brunt
• middle
• focus
• generality
• sum
• heft
• meat
• matter
• amount
• subject
• soul
• total
• marrow
• kernel
• hub
• nucleus
• quantum
• seat
• totality
• aggregate
• sum total
• theme
• stuff
• text
• argument
• topic
• essentiality
• pitch
• pith
• affair
• motif
• point
• gist
• quintessence
• nut
• crux
• nub
• purport

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extension
• component
• element
• part
• constituent
• adjunct
• section
• division
• ingredient
• accessory
• appendage
• segment
• offshoot
• piece
• side
• feature
• quality
• aspect
• angle
• facet

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

• leader
• boss
• foreman
• captain
• commander
• director
• master
• manager
• head
• lord
• administrator
• overseer
• superintendent
• honcho
• supervisor
• executive
• headman
• helmsman
• president
• kingpin
• principal
• boss man
• taskmaster
• jefe
• governor
• general
• steward
• king
• ruler
• mistress
• skipper
• overlord
• czar
• directress
• superior
• employer
• magnate
• leadman
• standard-bearer
• sovereign
• prince
• bigwig
• baron
• figurehead
• potentate
• dominator
• mogul
• straw boss
• higher-up
• big gun
• hierarch
• top dog
• coleader
• gaffer
• top gun
• cohead
• ganger
• big cheese
• subchief
• micromanager
• subdirector

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secondary
• dependent
• subject
• subordinate
• junior
• underling
• inferior

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chief

Adjective

Scent Beauty, which is behind Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Tooth fragrance line and Megan Moroney’s recent perfume venture, has tapped Yoana Land as chief financial officer. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

The latest waves of layoffs come after Disney in April eliminated about 1,000 roles, primarily as a result of D’Amaro’s formation of a consolidated enterprise marketing division under the leadership of Asad Ayaz, chief marketing and brand officer. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

On Tuesday, Paramount streaming chief Cindy Holland announced her exit from the company, suggesting that HBO’s Casey Bloys would take over the streaming business once the deal closed. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

In February, the lawsuit says, Dougan and other deputy chiefs submitted a grievance to new Fire Chief Craig Buckley, who took over the position in January when Grundyson retired. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing chief

• commander in chief