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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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
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 23 Sep. 2026.

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