premier

1 coming before all others in time or order a space shuttle on its premier voyage Synonyms earliest, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, original, pioneer, first, virginRelated Words ancient, early, primal, primary, prime, primeval, primitive, primordial; antecedent, preceding, previousNear Antonyms advanced, late; consequent, ensuing, following, subsequent, succeeding; penultimateAntonyms final, last, latest, latter, terminal, terminating, ultimate

2 highest in rank or authority the premier authority on butterflies Synonyms chief, commanding, first, foremost, high, lead, leading, preeminent, head, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, supreme, topRelated Words high-level, senior; controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory; main, major, paramount, predominant, predominate, sovereign (also sovran); ascendant (also ascendent), dominant, grand, superior, topmost, upmost, upper, uppermostNear Antonyms ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary; assistant, assisting, coadjutor, deputy, junior, under

3 coming before all others in importance the premier social occasion of the summer season Synonyms arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, foremost, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supremeRelated Words distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renownedNear Antonyms inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiaryAntonyms last, least