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 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
April 21–April 26 Salone del Mobile Milano The world’s preeminent design fair returns for its 64th edition at the Rho Fiera Milano.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025
Advertisement Outside experts would bring significant public attention to MAHA’s preeminent concern with nutrition, and expand the scope and effectiveness of their recommendations.
—Dr. James S. Gordon, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
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
April 21–April 26 Salone del Mobile Milano The world’s preeminent design fair returns for its 64th edition at the Rho Fiera Milano.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025
Advertisement Outside experts would bring significant public attention to MAHA’s preeminent concern with nutrition, and expand the scope and effectiveness of their recommendations.
—Dr. James S. Gordon, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
My colleague Jeff, one of the foremost space experts in the world, just published a feature on the efforts to build data centers in space.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Many of the city’s foremost bakers — including Sherry Yard, Nancy Silverton, Sumi Chang — brought cookies to share.—
Michelle Huneven,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Attorney, civil rights advocate and political commentator Bakari Sellers will be the event's distinguished speaker.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
If the recovering addicts’ primary task was to filter out women who wouldn’t qualify to sue—namely, those who didn’t have pelvic mesh or who did but weren’t in pain—Blake’s was to amp up the value of their lawsuits (and attorneys’ fees) by convincing them to have their mesh surgically removed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The other available Heat players who were out of the primary rotation Saturday were Keshad Johnson, Simone Fontecchio, Kasparas Jakucionis and Myron Gardner.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share