as in influential
very important especially in having a strong influence on things that come later
She authored several seminal papers that are frequently cited in later works because they laid the theoretical groundwork for future studies.
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Recent Examples of seminal
In the seminal film Shrek the Third, viewers were introduced to Shrek and Fiona’s three children — triplets named Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia.
—
James Factora, Them, 28 Feb. 2025
Jim McCarty has been drumming for the seminal band The Yardbirds for more than six decades.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Flack went on to release another seminal album, 1977’s Blue Lights in the Basement.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
The previous year, doctors at the Yale School of Medicine published what would come to be seen as a seminal study in the field of addiction medicine.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
James Factora, Them, 28 Feb. 2025
Jim McCarty has been drumming for the seminal band The Yardbirds for more than six decades.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Flack went on to release another seminal album, 1977’s Blue Lights in the Basement.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
The previous year, doctors at the Yale School of Medicine published what would come to be seen as a seminal study in the field of addiction medicine.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
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Linus O’Brien gives that chapter of the story a respectful 20 minutes, with lots of rambunctious footage and a sweet acknowledgment of Sal Piro, one of the earliest and most influential superfans, who died in 2023.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
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In an influential 1980 research paper, the former Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, who was then a young economist at Stanford, focussed on the costly and irreversible capital investments, such as building a new factory or buying new machinery, that firms make.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Trump delivered historic job, wage, and investment growth in his first term, and is set to do so again in his second term.—
Sonam Sheth,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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His historic Park Slope, Brooklyn, rental was already filled with souvenirs from his international work trips, like tribal masks and handmade rugs, which weren’t an obvious pairing for Belanger’s pastel sculptures of cake slices and ice cream cones.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ensuring Resonance: Connecting Emotionally for Commitment While data and logic are important, influence ultimately hinges on emotional connection.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Stretchy synthetic material wicks sweat away from your body to keep you dry and cool, and the seams and fabric are designed to prevent uncomfortable chafing, an important factor for all-day wear.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Content Creation and Thought Leadership In an attention economy where organic visibility grows increasingly scarce, content strategists who craft compelling, authoritative material have become revenue drivers rather than cost centers.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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While some authoritative voices speak with optimism, others do not share the same tone.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For leaders this serves as a critical warning: the relentless pursuit of productivity without regard for the multifaceted nature of human identity can lead to a workforce that is disengaged, unfulfilled and ultimately less innovative.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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But the critical number in this election is 802, the exceptionally low number of voters who cast ballots in that district election.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President has failed to score points with voters on several major topics, according to a new poll published by News on Sunday.—
Peter Aitken,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
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By 2017, the early allegations had been so quieted that Kale was the keynote speaker at a major Oregon community event.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a triumphant return to the stage, the globally renowned singer-songwriter is set to revisit his groundbreaking debut album, Get Lifted, with a series of performances spanning over 40 cities across the UK, Europe, and North America.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
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In a few rare cases, something extra left behind in the fossil record leads to a groundbreaking discovery, or, at least, the identification of a new species.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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