1
as in bodies
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leaders
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 chiefs
Greer said the responsibility for immigration enforcement in local police agencies ultimately falls on police leadership, arguing that local police chiefs have broad discretion over how their departments implement and prioritize participation in federal immigration enforcement programs.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Police chiefs opposed it, arguing those metrics are essential for performance reviews.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Finance chiefs at five of the giant hyperscalers—Meta’s Susan Li, Microsoft’s Amy Hood, Alphabet’s Anat Ashkenazi, Oracle’s Hilary Maxson, and OpenAI’s Sarah Friar—are collectively overseeing hundreds of billions in capital expenditures.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Blatter often had to yield to lesser chiefs, such as the heads of the continental confederations, in order to maintain his grip on power.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The sheriff's office said that the opinion came back on May 13, and Labat continued discussions with police chiefs, other law enforcement partners, mayors, and Fulton County justice partners to understand the impact on daily operations and the impact on the community.
—Emily McLeod, CBS News, 27 May 2026
This warrior spoke to a council of chiefs called by the British in the aftermath of the Fort Necessity fight.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
What else is going on Top LAUSD academic chiefs are leaving as test scores rise and Supt.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Minus Muniz, United’s recruitment chiefs (managing director Robbie Evans, sporting director Adam Underwood and head of recruitment Alex Davies) were not hugely inspired by the alternatives in attack.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Police chiefs opposed it, arguing those metrics are essential for performance reviews.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Finance chiefs at five of the giant hyperscalers—Meta’s Susan Li, Microsoft’s Amy Hood, Alphabet’s Anat Ashkenazi, Oracle’s Hilary Maxson, and OpenAI’s Sarah Friar—are collectively overseeing hundreds of billions in capital expenditures.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Blatter often had to yield to lesser chiefs, such as the heads of the continental confederations, in order to maintain his grip on power.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The sheriff's office said that the opinion came back on May 13, and Labat continued discussions with police chiefs, other law enforcement partners, mayors, and Fulton County justice partners to understand the impact on daily operations and the impact on the community.
—Emily McLeod, CBS News, 27 May 2026
This warrior spoke to a council of chiefs called by the British in the aftermath of the Fort Necessity fight.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
What else is going on Top LAUSD academic chiefs are leaving as test scores rise and Supt.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Minus Muniz, United’s recruitment chiefs (managing director Robbie Evans, sporting director Adam Underwood and head of recruitment Alex Davies) were not hugely inspired by the alternatives in attack.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chiefs
Noun
-
After defeating Chwalinska in straight sets, Andreeva took time at the end of her acceptance speech to speak Russian, seemingly in defiance of the vilification due to her ethnic heritage by the tennis governing bodies and opposing players.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Whatever its former luxury, the boat now had cabins crammed with four-person bunks and an atmosphere thick with the scent of unwashed bodies and the steam of rations.—
Kevin Maurer,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Investigating active government officials in Mexico is a new strategy for the United States, which in the past refrained from targeting sitting leaders in allied countries with criminal investigations because of the clear political ramifications.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Beyond their immediate impact, experts say such attacks are part of a broader Russian strategy to sow fear among ordinary people and increase public pressure on Ukraine’s leaders to end the war.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Working on a craft project, detailing a car, weeding a garden, practicing your basketball shot, lifting weights – all these activities can foster patience too.—
Christian B. Miller,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Researchers defined strength training as exercises using weights or body weight, such as press ups, squats and lunges.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Discussions with parents and bosses could be significant.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
But news of the membership drew fresh scrutiny in Washington over American tech bosses’ affiliation with the university — the alma mater of China’s leader.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Three concrete cores bear the primary loads of the museum, freeing the gallery floors from interior columns and enabling long, uninterrupted exhibition spaces inside the museum.—
Bridget Borgobello
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
Extreme bulks up the graphics processing power with the B390, containing 12 Xe cores.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Customers were very important; workers, foremen.—
Michael Kilian,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
For years after that, TCU alums who had served as Ranch Week foremen or queen would proudly include it on resumes, in professional biographies or when running for office.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Marriott said the opposition appeared to be the final straw for his superiors, who informed staff that the department would shift the responsibilities of captains.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
In an interview with journalist Casimiro Miguel, the 25-year-old underlined that Madrid is the club of dreams, while sharing his pride that he has been trusted as one of the team’s captains at such a young age.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The diner specializes in morning staples like crispy hash browns, bacon, and oversize breakfast plates that serve as perfect fuel for bike rides around the island.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Midwest Living,
31 May 2026
-
Scroll on to grab chic wrinkle-free staples ahead of your next summer vacation.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chiefs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chiefs. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
