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
These are the voices of business leaders with their preeminent public respect and nonpartisan guardrails.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Gean Moreno echoed this sentiment, noting Korine’s status as a preeminent visual artist in the city.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
If China finally eclipses the United States as the world’s preeminent scientific superpower, there won’t be an official announcement.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
On the other sideline, there’s FAMU, a school looking to regain its status as one of preeminent programs in HBCU football under first-year coach Gray.
—Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Gean Moreno echoed this sentiment, noting Korine’s status as a preeminent visual artist in the city.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
If China finally eclipses the United States as the world’s preeminent scientific superpower, there won’t be an official announcement.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
On the other sideline, there’s FAMU, a school looking to regain its status as one of preeminent programs in HBCU football under first-year coach Gray.
—Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
-
YouTube’s chief business officer Coe began thinking about developing the deepfake detection tool more than three years ago, when the company, under CEO Neal Mohan, began to lean into the potential of generative AI on the platform.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
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As scary for Apple investors, Jony Ive, the company’s longtime chief design officer, has set up shop at OpenAI.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This recognition honors exceptional school leaders across the South Bay for outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to student success.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Ogilvie went on to become a successful, prosperous attorney in Chicago, and is today considered by close observers to be one of the state’s outstanding governors.—
Jim Nowlan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping mall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But the leak appeared to get worse when the service module fired its main engine for the translunar injection burn on Day 2 of the flight, according to Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Just last month it was reported that Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers organiser, raped women and girls, and Noam Chomsky—one of the left’s foremost intellectuals whose most popular book is called Manufacturing Consent—is right there on the Epstein private jet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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The number of people with severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and deadly kind, is expected to increase to 800,000, the world’s foremost experts on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in February.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The honor of speaking at this distinguished ceremony is usually given to an eminent writer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
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Congressman David Scott moved our state forward over half a century of distinguished public service – from working to bolster farmers and rural communities to putting health care in reach for children across our state.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When nominations for the 2026 ACM Awards were announced earlier this month, the commanding storyline was the dominance by women as nominees.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Peck joined the Blue Angels after serving as the commanding officer for the Fighting Checkmates of VFA-211.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Valerii was recognized for his prior work in Unit 2 and earned a prestigious award.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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All concierges are members of Les Clefs d’Or, a prestigious global association.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lemon was also the Trojans’ primary return man during his sophomore and junior seasons and was even used on a trick play against Oregon this season that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass to then-freshman Tanook Hines.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Highway Trust Fund — the primary federal account dedicated to funding highways, bridges and transit — is going broke.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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