PREEMINENT Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

preeminent

adjective

prē-ˈe-mə-nənt

Definition of preeminent

as in greatest

coming before all others in importance the preeminent reason for the booming economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chief

highest in rank or authority the preeminent golfer of his generation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Her late husband Grant Wahl, for decades the preeminent soccer journalist in the United States, died at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, after collapsing while covering a quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands. — Sean Gregory, Time, 10 July 2026 Today, Fubo has best-in-class programming partnerships, innovative service offerings and preeminent live sports and entertainment content and is well positioned for the future. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026 These are designed to replace the nation’s now-aging Vanguard nuclear missile submarines, which are the UK’s preeminent nuclear deterrent. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026 Our investments in basic research and universities made this country the preeminent scientific and economic power in the world. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preeminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent

Adjective

Al-Hilal is keen to offload the player, who is training separately from their main squad and not in coach Simoene Inzaghi's plans.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The Nazca Lines, enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 100,000 annual visitors.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

In a new subscriber-exclusive newsletter, NBC News’ chief data analyst, Steve Kornacki, will get into the numbers, trends and data shaping the biggest stories heading into the midterms.

— Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
Disney's chief product and technology officer, Adam Smith, reportedly discussed the possibility of a free tier during an internal company town hall earlier this week.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of chief

Adjective

At the end of the day, both conferences feature great fanbases, historic, iconic venues, outstanding crowd atmospheres and elite, blue blood programs.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Boasting an outstanding 57-hour battery life, plus a quick 5-minute charge that adds 3 hours of playtime, they are built to power through days of classes without needing an outlet.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Adjective

The company has committed to investing at least $1 billion to construct one roughly 300,000-square-foot facility, but the campus could expand to include up to five primary buildings, officials have said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
Whether Castillo and Gausman can return to form and help their respective clubs get deep into October will be a primary storyline here the rest of the year.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

Today, perhaps the foremost image of a moderate is that of a centrist on a left-right spectrum.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Briggs, the architect, built a reputation for bespoke luxury homes along the Orange County coast and was named among Architectural Digest’s 100 foremost architects in 1991, according to background materials from the listing team.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

But the dominant narrative embraced financial metrics as the solvent for every problem.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Yet even before acquiring Skubal, the Dodgers believed that, if healthy, their pitching staff might be the strongest of this dominant era.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominant

Adjective

The Mariners now sit a game and a half behind the Rangers, who have more of a commanding lead of the American League West.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
That is the commanding nature the Tigers simply would not be the same without.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of commanding

Browse Nearby Words

preeminences

preeminent

preempt

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“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of preeminent

adjective

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