Synonyms of prime

prime 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in chief

highest in rank or authority

the prime strategist in the senator's presidential campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chief
• presiding
• foremost
• commanding
• supreme
• top
• primary
• leading
• first
• principal
• senior
• lead
• high
• premier
• head
• main
• in charge
• preeminent
• major
• predominant
• high-level
• supereminent
• dominant
• paramount
• managing
• upper
• controlling
• reigning
• supervisory
• overseeing
• sovereign
• topmost
• ascendant
• superior
• predominate
• uppermost
• regnant
• directing
• ruling
• grand
• officiating
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• last
• secondary
• lower
• less
• lesser
• subordinate
• ancillary
• inferior
• lowly
• subsidiary
• junior
• assisting
• under
• assistant
• deputy
• coadjutor

2

as in excellent

of the very best kind

owns a thousand acres of prime farmland

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• great
• terrific
• superb
• wonderful
• stellar
• lovely
• beautiful
• awesome
• fantastic
• fabulous
• marvelous
• hot
• fine
• quality
• classic
• famous
• top
• heavenly
• divine
• sensational
• grand
• superior
• cool
• neat
• superlative
• first-class
• choice
• primo
• good
• first-rate
• splendid
• slick
• exceptional
• immense
• blue-chip
• frontline
• cracking
• noble
• top-shelf
• sterling
• too much
• first-string
• swell
• prize
• topping
• blue-ribbon
• top-notch
• brave
• capital
• high-class
• topflight
• keen
• par excellence
• peachy
• unsurpassed
• out of this world
• dynamite
• dandy
• crackerjack
• decent
• banner
• supernal
• boss
• number one
• out-of-sight
• mean
• groovy
• bumper
• nifty
• tip-top
• bully
• dope
• gone
• radical
• better
• A1
• fab
• bang-up
• top-of-the-line
• adequate
• righteous
• corking
• special
• gangbusters
• prizewinning
• down
• satisfactory
• wizard
• hype
• boffo
• acceptable
• five-star
• fantabulous
• peachy keen
• phat
• bonny
• jim-dandy
• numero uno
• gilt-edged
• four-star
• A-OK
• classical
• traditional
• brag
• all right
• premium
• tolerable
• passable
• select
• OK
• high-grade
• standard
• fancy
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• lousy
• pathetic
• awful
• rotten
• wretched
• vile
• atrocious
• bad
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• substandard
• low-grade
• execrable
• mediocre
• middling
• second-class
• second-rate

prime

2 of 3

noun

ˈprīm 

1

as in bloom

a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement

in the prime of her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bloom
• blooming
• heyday
• flower
• pinnacle
• revival
• springtime
• blossom
• flush
• flowering
• salad days
• florescence
• autumn
• zenith
• high noon
• peak
• blossoming
• apex
• floruit
• meridian
• summit
• golden age
• climax
• grandeur
• glory
• efflorescence
• Indian summer
• acme
• recovery
• splendor
• silver age
• belle epoque
• comeback

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decline
• decay
• downfall
• bottom
• nadir
• wilting
• withering
• shriveling

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

• best
• elite
• aristocracy
• top
• choice
• elect
• flower
• A-list
• royalty
• cream
• Hall of Fame
• society
• cream of the crop
• quality
• priesthood
• pink
• upper crust
• pick
• pride
• fat
• crème de la crème
• corps d'elite
• establishment
• illuminati
• upper class
• nobility
• top drawer
• gentry
• caviar
• who's who

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• millions
• masses
• multitude
• herd
• mob
• rank and file
• commoners
• unwashed
• hoi polloi

prime

3 of 3

verb

as in to ground

Related Words

• ground
• mentor
• drill
• qualify
• prepare
• fit
• lesson
• coach
• teach
• school
• guide
• habilitate
• lead
• educate
• rear
• direct
• instruct
• preach
• lecture
• indoctrinate
• inculcate
• instill
• train
• tutor
• impart (to)
• implant
• moralize
• inform
• enlighten
• catechize
• brief
• verse
• familiarize
• edify
• show
• homeschool
• initiate
• introduce

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prime

Adjective

The decision to eliminate these categories from the prime-time broadcast devalues the contributions of the talented people the Academy is meant to honor. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026

This former cold storage warehouse dating back to the end of the 19th century, converted into a residential building by architect Harry Weese in 1981, is a prime example of adaptive reuse. — Rachel Freundt, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Noun

Either way, both experts advise checking for excess liquid or browning—both signs that the greens are past their prime. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026

In this earnings cycle, the critical metric to watch is the divergence between banks catering to affluent consumers (like JPMorgan Chase) versus those with higher exposure to subprime or near-prime borrowers (like Capital One or Discover). — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Verb

Bill Sheldrake, of Policy Analytics, noted the RDA gave the LDE $5 million in seed money to prime the pump for grants. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

Resistance training appears to prime a stronger growth hormone pulse at night, stacking your daytime workout with overnight repair. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026