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
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Recent Examples of preeminent
The Gophers won top-three showdowns against Michigan in the pair of years, in renditions of what was the Big Ten’s preeminent rivalry over the conference’s first 50 years.
—
The Athletic College Football, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Trump is set to meet with the preeminent leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Maria Corina Machado, next week at the White House.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
In October 1929, just days before the stock market crash, Cowley was hired as a junior editor at The New Republic, then the country’s preeminent journal of politics and culture.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And yet, before affordability became the preeminent issue this year, Berkeley polling revealed that nearly one-quarter (23%) of voters felt that crime and public safety (23%) was the top issue.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
The Athletic College Football, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Trump is set to meet with the preeminent leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Maria Corina Machado, next week at the White House.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
In October 1929, just days before the stock market crash, Cowley was hired as a junior editor at The New Republic, then the country’s preeminent journal of politics and culture.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And yet, before affordability became the preeminent issue this year, Berkeley polling revealed that nearly one-quarter (23%) of voters felt that crime and public safety (23%) was the top issue.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
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Adam Yost is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and chief technology officer at Elevated Roofing and Siding.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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Especially, Devers claimed, because he had been promised long-term positional security when then-chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom signed him to the extension.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Directors Guild of America has named the nominees for its 2025 awards in the outstanding directorial achievement in television, commercials and documentary categories.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Hollywood Reporter snagged a nomination again for outstanding magazine overall coverage in a list that also includes The Advocate, Cosmo, Gaye Magazine, Out, People, Poz, Rolling Stone, Time and Variety.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Travelers often worry about coming off as rude or offending someone, but your personal safety is foremost, so trust your gut.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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Half of the finance chiefs surveyed named digital transformation as their foremost priority for 2026, followed by cash management optimization and capital allocation.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards to be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza, and will also include special honors celebrating distinguished producers whose careers reflect sustained excellence and influence.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
9 Jan. 2026
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Attorney, civil rights advocate and political commentator Bakari Sellers will be the event's distinguished speaker.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Ribeiro, recipient of Brazil’s most prestigious literary prizes, including the Jabuti Prize, Brazilian Academy of Letters Prize, and Brazilian PEN Club Prize, is the author of fourteen works of fiction including The Impostor and As If by Magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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Wimbledon June 29—July 13, 2026 Grab your finest tennis whites and get ready for the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held in Wimbledon in southwest London.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Incorporate elements such as scented hand soaps or fragrant eucalyptus branches in an en suite bathroom to give your primary suite a spa-like feel.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
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Following earlier issues with its primary IMU, the mission switched to a backup unit that experienced accelerated wear, leaving MAVEN unable to fully rely on either system.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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