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
In the past three months, several Bay Area cities and municipalities have moved to terminate or disable their contracts with Flock Systems, one of the preeminent vendors of ALPR technology.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
His extraordinary understanding of luxury earned him collaborations with some of the world’s preeminent hospitality groups, including The Ritz in Paris, Claridge’s in London, and the Carlyle Hotel and Casa Cipriani in New York City.
—Jennifer Baum Lagdameo, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Some the game’s preeminent ball strikers have failed to keep pace with Berger.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
His extraordinary understanding of luxury earned him collaborations with some of the world’s preeminent hospitality groups, including The Ritz in Paris, Claridge’s in London, and the Carlyle Hotel and Casa Cipriani in New York City.
—Jennifer Baum Lagdameo, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Some the game’s preeminent ball strikers have failed to keep pace with Berger.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
-
Often referred to as the state’s chief fiscal officer, the state comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In Brussels, the European Union's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas noted Tuesday that Russia stands to gain from higher energy prices and the rerouting of advanced Western air defense systems from Ukraine to the Middle East.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bradley was named the tournament’s most outstanding player and was joined on the all-tournament team by Burries, Houston’s Joseph Tugler, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Students earned their place at the state competition through outstanding performances at the regional level, which was hosted over five weekends on the Metropolitan Education District (MetroED) campus.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Iranian strikes in Israel came after Tehran's main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit earlier in the day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Manchester City Liverpool fans have mostly sided with their main title rival of the past decade, with over 70 per cent wanting City to win the league.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the city’s leading trade promotion agency, the event has grown over three decades into Asia’s foremost marketplace for film and television content.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson Hinkle, the foremost American Putinophile of his generation, was less restrained than the Guardian columnist.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Few cooperative apartment houses in New York are as distinguished—or as tightly controlled by an exacting board—as the stately limestone building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 66th Street.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The former president and his center deserve a better and more distinguished address than Stony Island Avenue.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s something new at work — a cultural hairpin turn — in the way that Apple is made out to be a figure of commanding but toxic damage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Republicans have a less commanding lead, 52-44, among Catholics.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Computing’s prestigious Turing Award went this week to two men who created a way of keeping digital communication safe even in the age of quantum computers.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Following the assassination of President Kennedy, Onassis moved to New York to 1040 Fifth Avenue, one of Manhattan’s most prestigious cooperatives overlooking Central Park.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Not everyone is happy with the change, including those who see it as more of an adaptation to partisanship and primary politics.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
About 30 states are continuing the fight on their own to break up the company from Ticketmaster, which controls 80% of major concert venues’ primary ticketing.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
