as in priority
the right to one's attention before other things considered less important
his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
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Recent Examples of precedence
But just as much as his role in the Ukraine war or the Middle East, his efforts at strongman diplomacy are another indication of the abrupt shift away from a postwar liberal world order in which institutions and international law—in theory if not practice—took precedence over pure might.
—
Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Rising costs and a growing prioritization for experiences and self-care are taking precedence over long-term financial planning, experts observed.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Those interviewed also told the grand jury that the lack of resources, both personnel and funding, was the reason why elder financial abuse isn’t given a higher priority, stressing that cases involving physical abuse take precedence over financial abuse.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Henry, meanwhile, serves as a soldier fighting in the brutal trenches of France, where survival takes precedence over everything else.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Rising costs and a growing prioritization for experiences and self-care are taking precedence over long-term financial planning, experts observed.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Those interviewed also told the grand jury that the lack of resources, both personnel and funding, was the reason why elder financial abuse isn’t given a higher priority, stressing that cases involving physical abuse take precedence over financial abuse.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Henry, meanwhile, serves as a soldier fighting in the brutal trenches of France, where survival takes precedence over everything else.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
-
One major priority of the CCP in this realm is to produce scientific papers on the dangers of climate change and the utility of alternative forms of energy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Harry, 40, has been patron of WellChild since 2007 and has made the awards a priority, attending on 14 previous occasions.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precedence. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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