prioritize

verb

Definition of prioritizenext
as in to categorize
to put in order based on importance We prioritized the hardest parts of the project before the easier ones.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 prioritize As such, most progressives would prioritize cooperation with other powers, especially Beijing, on existential challenges over competition. — Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026 That information can help identify damaged infrastructure, locate areas isolated by floodwaters, and prioritize where emergency resources are needed. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 Chipmakers, including Micron in the US, as well as South Korea’s Samsung and SK Hynix, are prioritizing supplying data centers at the expense of companies making household products and personal computers, Nikkei reported. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026 The popular Nigerian designer explained that there’s an overwhelming pressure to create and prioritize design. — Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prioritize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prioritize
  1. categorize
  2. organize
  3. sort
  4. classify
  5. sequence
  6. file
Verb
  • With this much space, the entire region can’t be categorized in any one specific way—except with the word dramatic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Images get treated and categorized one way; PDFs another; text notes another.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of categorize
Verb
  • At a Thursday post-election conference organized by the Center for American Progress, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that the people who’d beaten invincible-looking Republicans needed space to vote and govern their way.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Pre-Columbian ruins are always near, reachable by boat, trek, and car, on excursions organized by the hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of organize
Verb
  • The large wooden desk is framed by a bookshelf painted pastel robin’s egg blue, and an antique cabinet that stands on tall spindly legs, its doors open, revealing rows of small, narrow dividers for sorting mail or paperwork.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Stocks of solar power companies, dollar stores and hospital owners helped lead the way as Wall Street tried to sort the winners from losers following the widespread losses for Republicans.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of sort
Verb
  • These counter-drone flyaway kits that are rapidly deployable help to spot, classify, and track UAVs.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Malm was traveling to speak at a conference alongside a co-founder of Palestine Action, a direct action group that the UK classified as a terrorist organization last year.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • In reality though, every genome analysis is influenced by multiple of factors, such as the reference genome used for comparison and the technology used to sequence the DNA itself.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists can sequence a genome, but understanding environmental impacts requires psychologists to follow thousands of people for decades.
    — Jessica Craig, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of sequence
Verb
  • Neither Castillo nor Hershey have filed required ethics reports, or reported fundraising, signs their campaigns lack broad support and have not broadly engaged voters.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Insurance agent Ken McFeeters filed a lawsuit challenging the senator’s eligibility based on residency requirements, but the lawsuit was dismissed.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of file

Browse Nearby Words

priorities
prioritize
prioritized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prioritize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prioritize. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abandon

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All