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
Harvard Business Review, 8 Nov. 2025
In the months before Aruká Juma died earlier this year from COVID-19, the last remaining male of the elusive warrior people who live in Brazil’s Amazon was passing on the tribe’s traditions to one of his daughters, who was anointed chief a few years ago.
—Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
John Leicester, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Cumming had a 42-year career in California law enforcement, previously serving as police chief of Menlo Park and Morgan Hill.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
At Barton Creek Technologies, Anna Chen, the chief human resources officer, faces a dilemma over the company’s performance improvement plan (PIP).
—Harvard Business Review, 8 Nov. 2025
In the months before Aruká Juma died earlier this year from COVID-19, the last remaining male of the elusive warrior people who live in Brazil’s Amazon was passing on the tribe’s traditions to one of his daughters, who was anointed chief a few years ago.
—Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Army chiefs from other coalition nations joined by video.
—John Leicester, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Cumming had a 42-year career in California law enforcement, previously serving as police chief of Menlo Park and Morgan Hill.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Stokes, who seldom completes a five-Test series these days, had dragged his creaking, aching body through almost five full matches of hard, hot, energy-sapping cricket, like scraping butter over too much bread, but somehow soldiering on.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The hardware is built for intimacy, pairing a soft exterior with full-body sensors that react to a user’s touch on its head or neck.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Chiefs’ announcement has energized Missouri leaders around keeping the Royals.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Drivers will no longer be able to travel straight through the corridor, though county leaders say local access will remain available for people who live or work in the area.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
My colleague Jeff, one of the foremost space experts in the world, just published a feature on the efforts to build data centers in space.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Many of the city’s foremost bakers — including Sherry Yard, Nancy Silverton, Sumi Chang — brought cookies to share.—
Michelle Huneven,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visa and MasterCard have responded to growing scrutiny with minor, cosmetic adjustments, but the core problem remains unchanged.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, creators will take on the role of consultants, as brands develop more substantial partnerships with the talent that now make up such a core part of their marketing strategies.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The fascination with boss-employee relationships will probably never fade.—
Emily Nix,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Another individual familiar with events said Turness, the boss of BBC News, has repeatedly made efforts to get the corporation to respond to Prescott’s memo.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This discount shall apply only to the primary residence of the user and shall not apply to separate irrigation meters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last season’s Most Improved Player was the primary defender on Dončić, who was held to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field in 27 minutes.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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