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
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
Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Bollywood actor Babil Khan will serve as chief guest at the Tasveer Film Fund 2025 Premiere and Opening Night.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
In a one-on-one chat with editor-in-chief Peter Sadera at the Sourcing Journal Fall Summit, the executive shared his experience navigating Tahari’s strategic evolution from a fashion label into a multi-sector enterprise.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Investors include Michele Attisani, co-founder and former chief business officer of esports company ESL FaceIt Group.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Bollywood actor Babil Khan will serve as chief guest at the Tasveer Film Fund 2025 Premiere and Opening Night.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
Fox News obtained an internal dispatch that appears to show Chicago police officers were ordered by their chief of patrol not to respond after Border Patrol agents called for help.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
In a one-on-one chat with editor-in-chief Peter Sadera at the Sourcing Journal Fall Summit, the executive shared his experience navigating Tahari’s strategic evolution from a fashion label into a multi-sector enterprise.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
Greek Yogurt Has More Protein If your main goal is to include more protein in your diet, consider breakfasts featuring Greek yogurt.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And for all the miles on his body, Ekblad is still just 29 years old and has more help than ever with Jones there to log big minutes and Forsling continuing to emerge as one of the league’s best shutdown D in a system that plays to his strengths.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Some old stories, like bodies in Wisconsin graves, really don’t need to be dug up.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Church of England has been without a leader since last November when Justin Welby resigned over a child abuse cover-up scandal.—
Muvija M,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The third is a firebrand conservative who could become the country’s first female leader.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In all of these places, the broad availability of talent—whether as founders, knowledge workers, or highly skilled blue-collar workers—is viewed as one core element of the corporate ecosystem’s success.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The new quad-core processor inside is likely doing a lot of heavy lifting there.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While Mandy is thrilled about her promotion — and her popularity among viewers — Georgie is furious to learn that her boss, Scott (Christopher Gorham), is also her ex.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
-
When Dan Jackson took the reins of the Austin, Texas, police department’s unsolved homicide unit in 2022, his boss approached the detective with a sense of urgency.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pathways, promises and potential are always the primary motivations.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Five years later Augusta had a stroke, with Ed acting as primary caretaker.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, Reeves became Estragon, the more simplistic and long-suffering of the duo, while Winter tackled Vladimir, the more commanding and verbose character.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since the late 90s, Jungen has forged a name for himself internationally through his commanding sculptural practice.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share