1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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 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 The opening of an Auberge Collection property in the little town of Los Olivos is further proof of the area's status as a preeminent New World wine destination. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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
  • Rhodes owes Orton another lick after getting punted in the head following their WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event brawl.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Spectrum’s second flight began with ignition of the rocket’s nine Aquila main engines, burning a mixture of propane and liquid oxygen propellants to generate more than 150,000 pounds (675 kilonewtons) of thrust.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • He was named chief operating officer and relocated to the company’s global headquarters in New York in 2017.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Emails sent this year by CPSC chief data officer Elizabeth Puchek said hospitals would need to apply for an exemption from participation or face penalties.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Werro ran out victorious to extend her outstanding unbeaten outdoor season.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Orange Lutheran’s outstanding offensive line faces Sierra Canyon’s outstanding defensive line.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • The club prefers Taylor to serve as the primary organizational voice to relay its message — and to take the brunt of criticism.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The charcoal floor tiling and island in the corner kitchen feel like something Rick Owens would have dreamed up, as are the primary bathroom’s concrete floors and shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Iran’s foremost vulnerability to sanctions and the blockade remains its persistent need for imports, which totaled $17 billion in the first five months of this Iranian calendar year beginning in March.
    — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Asked about their firm’s primary hurdle in managing the current trade landscape, the vast majority (57 percent) said policy uncertainty, like tariffs changing with little notice, as their foremost challenge.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Why Connecticut Should Lead Connecticut has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in civics education because Senator Lieberman was one of its most distinguished public servants.
    — Clarine Nardi Riddle, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
  • One of America’s most distinguished pediatric cardiologists says the nation is in desperate shape with the end of Medicaid subsidies and the 28 million people who lack insurance.
    — Llewellyn King, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • Vuskovic’s early pairing with 34-year-old skipper Lewis Dunk — who has also played every minute in the league this season — looks like being a dominant partnership for Hurzeler.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In the dominant 56-7 win over FCS opponent Lafayette College, new head coach Jason Candle and his staff was able to see two different quarterbacks throw to 13 different receivers and hand the ball off to five different running backs.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 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
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of facsimile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All