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 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

Adjective

The delay again has created a potential cash crunch for districts during the wait for their cut — often a main revenue source for local governments — and added to the pile of complaints about the county’s decade-long property tax system upgrade.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
This sandwich gives main character energy, but don’t skip over the other items available at BoJaynes, from specialty spices to wraps.

— Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Earlier that month, Greg Rogers, chief fiscal officer for the Education Department, said the department waited before requesting additional funds to determine how many students would actually use the accounts they were approved to receive.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
As with EVs, Chinese trucks are increasingly technologically advanced, says Thomas Fabian, chief commercial vehicles officer at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 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

In 2008, a San Francisco court denied Stone's attempt to alter the custody arrangement which listed Bronstein's San Francisco home as Roan's primary residence, with Stone getting visitation rights.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Even with Oracle founder Larry Ellison the primary backer of his son’s ParaBros dreams, the even older Ellison’s net worth, which has been declining of late, may not be able to handle the strain of months and months of such probes.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

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
One of the two candidates for president, one of the country’s foremost politicians, was expressly lumping together a sizable American ethnic minority with external enemies.

— Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 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

Kenneth Walker was dominant (and record-breaking) in his regular-season Chiefs debut.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
The UConn football team traveled more than 1,300 miles to meet Southern Miss in near 100-degree heat for its first road game of the season and left with a dominant, 48-20, win on Saturday night.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of dominant

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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of preeminent

adjective

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