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preeminent

adjective

prē-ˈe-mə-nənt How to pronounce preeminent (audio)
Definition of preeminentnext
1
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance the preeminent reason for the booming economy

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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

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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 People flock from all corners of the country to see Mathew Varghese, a surgeon who has perhaps become the nation’s preeminent specialist for polio patients. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 After spending its first four decades as DC’s preeminent financial operator, Carlyle turned its eyes elsewhere — to New York, to Europe and Asia, really anywhere other than the US capital. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The Jags passer, much like Rodriguez, is a preeminent goal-line gremlin. — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The United States remains the world’s preeminent military, economic, and technological power. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
  1. main
  2. chief
  3. outstanding
  4. primary
  5. foremost
  6. distinguished
  7. dominant
  8. commanding
Adjective
  • Construction of the project’s main underground access portal began in February 2026.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • This, Rostov’s main thoroughfare, wasn’t illuminated by the familiar bright glare of its many street lamps, or by light from its windows, now blacked out, but emerged from the darkness all the more gently in a milky cloak of moonlight.
    — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The Red Sox also exercised chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s team options for 2029 and 2030, aligning their timelines.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Stringer is a former Apple industrial designer and the founder and chief design officer of audio company Syng.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Just like a Michelin star for a restaurant, a Michelin key identifies the most outstanding hotels in the country.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Fortunately for those who are tired of the political fireworks and simply want to enjoy outstanding presentations on the Declaration of Independence and the uniqueness of the American experiment, several current exhibitions offer precisely that.
    — Michael Auslin, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Orbit is Flight 14’s primary focus, and only by achieving that milestone can SpaceX move on to clear the rocket’s remaining hurdles.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The primary bedroom overlooks the High Line, with an en-suite bathroom that has a separate soaking tub and glass shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Founded in 1937, the Fashion Scholarship Fund is the fashion industry’s foremost education and workforce development nonprofit.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Making the roster more functional will be the foremost objective for whomever Crane chooses to replace Brown.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • During the Yuma event, the interceptor was loaded into an eight-shot launcher and demonstrated to distinguished visitors.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Elizabeth Shackelford is a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune and a distinguished lecturer with the Dickey Center at Dartmouth College.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • China currently plays a dominant role in the global tungsten supply chain, leaving the US facing a challenge that goes beyond finding new deposits.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The goal of the event is to raise funds to support programs that help farmers thrive and take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding

Browse Nearby Words

preeminences
preeminent
preempt
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Cite this Entry

“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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