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
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
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But Jeffries, an outstanding student who typically went straight home from baseball practice to study, remained more of a spectator than a participant in the borough’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were outstanding, and Sam Merrill hit huge corner 3s in the first half to break Detroit’s spirit early.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 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
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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
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Christopher Abbott, Jon Bernthal, Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Ayo Edebiri, Alden Ehrenreich, Luke Evans, Daniel Radcliffe, Laurie Metcalf and Lea Michele are just a sampling of the big-name performers nominated today for 2026 New York Drama League Awards in the distinguished performances category.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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Helicopters and trailers arrived in large numbers, famous faces and a distinguished director settled in near grazing cattle, and the cameras started rolling.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 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
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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
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The Manchester United under-18s manager watched his side suffer a 2-1 defeat by Oliver Reiss’ Manchester City in the final of the prestigious youth competition, which was the first between the two clubs since 1986.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Kids who take the spot of a potential American student to attend some of America’s most prestigious colleges, and then go back home.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 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
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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 18 May. 2026.
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