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
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 July 2025
State Democrats have other options at the ready if the 77-year-old Mills passes and are primed either way to make Collins own the Trump record, especially her votes for his Supreme Court nominees in his first term.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
As a prime example, within the automotive industry, development cycles can take years—by design rather than inefficiency—and as a result extending the time required to integrate into the system and become part of the production process.
—Nicole Leblanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
When Krishna took over as CEO in April 2020, IBM was struggling to grow its sales and was generally seen as a legacy technology giant past its prime.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime
Adjective
The Clash kicks off each NASCAR season, and the unique format and venue are intended to get fans primed for the official season-opening Daytona 500 held two weeks later.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 July 2025
State Democrats have other options at the ready if the 77-year-old Mills passes and are primed either way to make Collins own the Trump record, especially her votes for his Supreme Court nominees in his first term.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
Noun
Chemical compounds like styrene and 1,3 butadiene are major components of the crumb rubber that is a prime constituent of synthetic turf.
—Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
As a prime example, within the automotive industry, development cycles can take years—by design rather than inefficiency—and as a result extending the time required to integrate into the system and become part of the production process.
—Nicole Leblanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
Burns was one of the best power-play defensemen in the league in his prime, but the Avs have Cale Makar and Devon Toews to run their two units, plus Samuel Girard in reserve or on the flank with Toews on PP2.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
When Krishna took over as CEO in April 2020, IBM was struggling to grow its sales and was generally seen as a legacy technology giant past its prime.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prime
Adjective
-
One of the chief goals of the community survey is to achieve representative samples from all areas of the city, so library leadership can better understand the specific needs of the people of the city.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
-
The drama began on Wednesday when a jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, captured Byron hugging Cabot, Astronomer's chief people officer, from behind.—
Hannah Parry
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
-
Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Warmer weather also means there will be a higher chance of blooms of yellow-brown sargassum seaweed washing ashore.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
-
Here are five design tips to try at home along with a list of blooms to consider.—
Lauren Dunec Hoang,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Judge holds career bests of 10.60 in the 100 and 21.85 in the 200.—
Matt Roy,
Boston Herald,
11 July 2025
-
In 2017, thousands of men ran 400-meter times that were faster than the personal bests of Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Lunging, the righty grounded it to shortstop, resulting in the inning-ending double play.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
After the Ethiopia crash, 737 Max jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned the system.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Dropping that grenade on the audience with so little time left to feel the impact does Jill little justice, but DeWitt does, in fairness, invest great pathos in her.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
20 July 2025
-
This is a place where costumes do a lot of heavy lifting, and Cady is a great example, her wardrobe shows us what is happening to her inside.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
One America, with coastal elites in places like New York City and Los Angeles, who continue to steamroll towards full-on Marxism, and another with ordinary, hard-working Americans across the country, like here in the great state of Alaska, who don’t embrace this extremism.—
Mike Dunleavy,
New York Daily News,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The full trailer shows Reeves’ Gabriel mentoring both men.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
23 July 2025
-
This ethos of layered mentorship has since evolved into a nationwide network—from high schoolers mentoring middle schoolers to college students supporting one another through affinity clubs.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prime. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share