1
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the prime strategist in the senator's presidential campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind
owns a thousand acres of prime farmland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bloom
a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement
in the prime of her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in best
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
chose the prime of the litter of pups
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to ground
Related Words
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 prime
Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
Focker In-Law is primed to make theatrical audiences squirm on Nov. 25, 2026.
—EW.com, 28 July 2025
Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2025
The individual battles, the one-on-ones along the offensive line specifically, offer prime evaluation.
Josh Simmons, at left tackle, is earning a lot of attention this preseason camp.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2025
Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Throughout its preseason, Liverpool has remembered Jota who, at 28, was still in the prime of his career and a key player for the Reds.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime
Adjective
With room decor modeled after a modern Bahamian estate, fully marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, private balconies with a view of the gardens below, Cable Beach, and the ocean beyond, the property’s rooms are primed for maximum relaxation.
—Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
Focker In-Law is primed to make theatrical audiences squirm on Nov. 25, 2026.
—EW.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
People fishing with him have caught sturgeon over 70 inches during the prime spring months.
—Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2025
The individual battles, the one-on-ones along the offensive line specifically, offer prime evaluation.
Josh Simmons, at left tackle, is earning a lot of attention this preseason camp.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
How to avoid overpaying for a used car The young driver described in the TikTok above made one major mistake: overpaying for a used vehicle well past its prime.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Throughout its preseason, Liverpool has remembered Jota who, at 28, was still in the prime of his career and a key player for the Reds.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prime
Adjective
-
Online dating firm Bumble hired Kevin D. Cook to be its new chief financial officer, effective August 12.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Annie Goeller, chief communications officer for the IDOC, said details about the partnership are still being determined.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Compensation of a sort came as the excellent form continued in the league.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
-
In addition to a monthly newsletter covering retirement planning regulations, IRA advisers Ed Slott and Co. also offer an excellent monthly newsletter covering Social Security issues, written by Heather Schreiber.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Nighttime temperatures below 55°F can limit a tomato plant’s bloom production.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Jellyfish blooms have become common from Maine to Florida in recent years.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Napheesa Collier finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, Courtney Williams added 23 points and five assists, and the Lynx had season bests in points, rebounds and free throws in dominating Las Vegas 109-78.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
26 July 2025
-
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise quarterback is coming off the best year of his career, which began with a life-changing contract, continued with the birth of his first daughter and wrapped with personal bests of a 10-7 record, 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Including them in newsletters and leadership updates keeps the work grounded and relevant.—
Aaron Edgell,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
And Machado grounded out in the fifth after Arraez’s two-out double.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
By many measures, Alonso was already the greatest home run hitter in Mets history.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
-
There is no greater disparity in the polls than the Sooners checking in at No. 18 in the AP and being the best of the rest among the coaches who voted.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Though Indian elites long viewed the US with suspicion, relations between the two countries have improved in recent decades — particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, with Washington viewing the Asian nation as a potential bulwark against a rising China.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Freedom: Conservatives prize personal liberty, which should include the freedom to generate your own power — a right already exercised by ordinary homeowners, not just elites.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the video above, Monreal reflects on her own origin (as a writer on ABC’s Brothers and Sisters), revisits her first time writing for Gibbs & Co., and opens up about being mentored by late NCIS showrunner Gary Glasberg.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Then offer to mentor a few coworkers to do the same.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prime. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share