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
Georg Baselitz, a preeminent painter of postwar Germany and an engine of the 1980s Neo-Expressionist movement that rebuked Minimalism, and who would later come under fire for his comments about women artists, has died at 88.
—
Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
To many, Seamus Heaney is the preeminent Anglophone poet of the latter half of the twentieth century.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
One of China’s preeminent engineering influencers is at it again.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
For a guy who played 55 games at one of the preeminent football schools in the country, Delp might be a little bit under the public radar.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
To many, Seamus Heaney is the preeminent Anglophone poet of the latter half of the twentieth century.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
One of China’s preeminent engineering influencers is at it again.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
For a guy who played 55 games at one of the preeminent football schools in the country, Delp might be a little bit under the public radar.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
-
No note from the victim was recovered and officials determined the cause of death to be suicide based on their postmortem examination, said Sterling McLaren, chief medical examiner for the city and county of Denver.—
Mead Gruver,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Ty Holmes, chief impact officer for Curriculum Associates, said the company continuously solicits feedback and tries to make changes to address complaints.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Alvarez is, once again, having an outstanding season.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Goalkeeper Casey Murphy was outstanding for the Legacy.—
Boston Herald staff,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
One of the book’s main themes is that trauma and damage, like red hair or skill with animals, can be handed down from one generation to the next.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Two smaller structures rise to six floors each, alongside the 20-story main tower.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cochran gave Bradley credit for that London show and many more that followed, putting him together with Noël Coward, the young George Balanchine, and the man who would become the foremost progenitor of ballet in Britain, Frederick Ashton.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
And there’s no one better to portray that than Drucker, who has become one of our foremost portrayers of women on the edge.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Over time, his work has earned distinguished recognitions from professional organizations and legal associations.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
As the years pass, the distinguished plant bears witness to the private lives of those who seek shade under its boundless branches.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The typically nine-person panel of global filmmakers, actors, and artists is tasked with reviewing around 20 films before deciding the competition’s winners and awarding the prestigious Palme d’Or to one lucky film.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
-
On Monday, columnist Gustavo Arellano was a finalist for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for his opinion writing.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
