preeminent

adjective

prē-ˈe-mə-nənt How to pronounce preeminent (audio)
Definition of preeminentnext
1
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance the preeminent reason for the booming economy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the preeminent golfer of his generation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a meeting of preeminent scientists from around the world

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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 Blackmon had her heart set on attending Howard, seen as the preeminent Black university in the nation. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 South Africa cannot defend its standing as Africa’s preeminent financial gateway by locking its companies out of 21st-century payment systems. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed’s campaign is currently the left’s preeminent cause, held up as key proof that an obsessively anti-Zionist left-wing politics can win outside of blue enclaves. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Known as a preeminent authority on all things home, our founder has spent decades teaching people how to elevate their spaces through books, TV shows, and online and print publications. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preeminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preeminent
  1. main
  2. chief
  3. outstanding
  4. primary
  5. foremost
  6. distinguished
  7. dominant
  8. commanding
Adjective
  • For the first time in almost a month, a large tanker last week began loading crude at the western terminal of Iran’s main export hub Kharg Island, Windward said.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The team behind the project, presented during the second edition of Open Doors with a focus on films from Africa, was one of the two main winners of the Open Doors Grant.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Mohammed Zahidullah, chief sustainability officer at DBL Group, warned that Bangladesh risks losing orders to competitors including India, Pakistan and Vietnam as those sourcing markets move more quickly to adopt renewable energy.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Syrianos, previously the global technical director, becomes chief football officer at the City Ground, taking on the role vacated when Ross Wilson departed to join Newcastle last summer.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • His work there earned him a nomination for his first Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Logan Henderson, an outstanding rookie pitcher the Brewers chose to keep rather than including in a trade last month, outdueled Skubal in Sunday’s series finale at Los Angeles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • That becomes particularly important when organizations rely on pop-up conversations and informal check-ins as their primary means of staying aligned.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The vast majority of girls are enrolled in primary education, at a rate higher than for boys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Jeff Nichols is not only one of cinema’s foremost chroniclers of the American South, but is doing his damnedest to revitalize the film scene in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly, the world’s foremost perfumeries haven’t collaborated with elite motorcar brands.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Lederer, 67, has a long and impressive history in independent watchmaking, having been a distinguished member of the prestigious Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) since 1985.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The distinguished Indian fashion brand Sabyasachi has partnered with New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for a new line of jewelry inspired by the institution’s vast collection.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • The biggest takeaway from the Ravens’ dominant win over the Eagles was impressive showings from Baltimore’s rookie pass catchers.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Claressa Shields captured the WBC and WBA middleweight titles with a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over Kaye Scott in Atlanta.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Arendt comes most fully alive, though, when Meyer lets her own extravagant, commanding voice carry the story forward.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding

Browse Nearby Words

preeminences
preeminent
preempt
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Cite this Entry

“Preeminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preeminent. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of preeminent for Spanish Speakers

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