1
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance
the preeminent reason for the booming economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the preeminent golfer of his generation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
a meeting of preeminent scientists from around the world
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 preeminent
Indeed, for nearly five decades, the Iranian regime has been the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism and the preeminent cause of unrest in the Middle East, including being responsible for the killing and maiming of thousands of American soldiers.
—
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 June 2025
Trump’s erratic approach to trade is converging with other economic and technological policies to undermine the United States’ preeminent role.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Consultations and further testing at six of the country’s preeminent hospitals along the Eastern seaboard confirmed that Dash was battling a neurodegenerative disorder never seen before.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
Alan Nathan, a University of Illinois physics professor, is one of the preeminent researchers attempting to solve the mysteries of the knuckleball.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 June 2025
Trump’s erratic approach to trade is converging with other economic and technological policies to undermine the United States’ preeminent role.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Consultations and further testing at six of the country’s preeminent hospitals along the Eastern seaboard confirmed that Dash was battling a neurodegenerative disorder never seen before.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
Alan Nathan, a University of Illinois physics professor, is one of the preeminent researchers attempting to solve the mysteries of the knuckleball.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
-
But the chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management sees Apple’s multiple as the biggest issue.—
Siena Griffin,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
-
In a new Fortune opinion piece, Marco Argenti, Goldman’s chief information officer, argues that companies should empower young professionals with AI skills to help shape strategy.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
They’re spread across the United States and capture the remarkable variety that defines the country — from culture and food to history and outstanding natural beauty.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
28 June 2025
-
On the one hand, Season Four addresses a lot of outstanding emotional issues.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meander along the Big Bend Scenic Byway and stop along main streets and pull-offs that look interesting.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
The project’s data goes through June 10, and only includes administrative immigration arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, the agency’s main arm that enforces immigration policy.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of the Jet Propulsion Lab’s foremost scientists says the futuristic outpost is still hoping against hope that the president’s plan for NASA will be overturned by Congress.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Giard grew up to become both a voracious reader (with a B.A. in English and American literature from Yale and an M.A. in comparative literature from Boston University) and a foremost chronicler of writers.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
From September 25-28, the Windy City hosts Chicago Gourmet one of the nation’s most distinguished food festivals.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Developers feed their chatbot models on a torrent of material, much of it scraped from the web — everything from distinguished literary works to random babbling — as well as collections holding millions of books, articles, scientific papers and the like, some of it copyrighted.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Five minutes later, an own goal by Inter Miami defender Tomas Aviles, who was subbed into the match in the 19th minute, gave PSG a commanding 3-0 lead.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
-
The Democratic Socialist state Assembly member defied expectations and took a commanding lead in Tuesday's New York City mayoral primary.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
One starting point is seeking international students in the U.S. Students from around the world come to the U.S. to study AI and machine learning at prestigious schools.—
Sophie Alcorn,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
The film recently received the prestigious Sydney Film Prize at the 72nd Sydney Film Festival.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yang said the hybrid ants have become the explorers and front guard for the fire ant invasion into colder and more northerly areas, becoming the dominant fire ant species in the upper elevations of Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.—
Gareth McGrath,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
The past two years made clear that Israel, with U.S. help, is the dominant military force.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share