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

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 Eva Marie Saint, a revered actress whose two preeminent performances — On the Waterfront and North by Northwest — encapsulated the glories of the 1950s’ Hollywood studio system, died on Tuesday. — Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 Martin didn’t set out to become the preeminent silver colorist. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026 The nation’s preeminent public university, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, has offered Creole courses at its main campus in the nation’s capital for more than a decade. — Kendall Medford, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 Over the past 25 years, Lord and Miller have built a unique career that established them as some of Hollywood’s preeminent filmmakers in multiple mediums. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 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
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • But this was apparently not the case, as per Victoria Secret’s chief creative officer Adam Selman.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Bassetti also confirmed that Lucas Green will stay on as chief content officer for operations, James Townley as chief content officer for development and Kate Humphreys as chief communications officer.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • The award, which was established by the city of Naperville in 1993, recognizes Naperville-area students for outstanding community service.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • There is no court date scheduled for Wang appearing because there is still an outstanding warrant, a circuit court spokesperson said.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.
    — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The former is one of the world's foremost entertainment capitals, and the latter has a starving fan base and state-of-the-art venue in Climate Pledge Arena.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • The result is one of the most quietly dominant competitive positions in modern industry.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Georgia looked dominant in the opening minutes, even after Stockton had to leave after hitting the field helmet-first on the first play of the game.
    — Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Wembanyama, for his part, is eager to become a more commanding voice on the defensive end.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding

Browse Nearby Words

preeminences
preeminent
preempt
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All