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
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Dana Peterson, chief economist for the Conference Board, noted in a press release that write-in responses reflected a growing pessimism towards prices, inflation and the cost of goods.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Some justices usually attend — especially the chief.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Josh D’Amaro will succeed Iger as CEO and Dana Walden will be elevated to president and chief creative officer in connection with Disney’s annual meeting on March 18.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Dana Peterson, chief economist for the Conference Board, noted in a press release that write-in responses reflected a growing pessimism towards prices, inflation and the cost of goods.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
The police chiefs did not specify how much of each drug officers found in the home.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Some justices usually attend — especially the chief.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
Udmurtia’s main passenger airport, in the city of Izhevsk, and airports in nearby regions suspended operations early Saturday, according to Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In that way, the end of his main career will allow his side-gig to become his new, full-time job.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bodies of the nine deceased skiers were recovered by rescue teams on Friday and Saturday after avalanche mitigation.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Within four individual treatment rooms and a couples' massage room, good therapists offer no-fuss treatments from massages and facials to stretching (which helps jetlag and cramped post-flight bodies).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anthropic has been in a tense battle with the Pentagon over its AI models since at least January, when Anthropic was employed by Palantir during the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has previously been awarded to politicians, religious leaders, artists, fashion designers and others who have made significant contributions to American society.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Falcons needed stability at quarterback, and Cousins, who is maybe the world’s foremost aficionado of cheesy sports movies with fairytale finishes, had a chance to write a warm and fuzzy end to his story.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The capture of Donetsk and Luhansk -- which together form the Donbas area -- is the foremost Kremlin goal.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
24 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
-
But generally, operations in which a cartel boss is removed lead to more violence and fragmentation of criminal groups.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But while El Mencho may have been a savvy crime boss, his group’s strength stemmed in large part from its recruitment of affiliates nationwide.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 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 27 Feb. 2026.
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