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.
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 seminal
The seminal story of hubristic man’s creation of intelligence, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, arose from the voice of a 19-year-old woman.
—
Adam Verner
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
The five-day march, one of the seminal moments in civil rights history, led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Beyond its commercial success, the album became a seminal pop-punk record and a monument of its time.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Turing proved this seminal result by inventing a formal mathematical model of computation in which programs are represented by hypothetical devices now called Turing machines.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Adam Verner
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
The five-day march, one of the seminal moments in civil rights history, led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Beyond its commercial success, the album became a seminal pop-punk record and a monument of its time.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Turing proved this seminal result by inventing a formal mathematical model of computation in which programs are represented by hypothetical devices now called Turing machines.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
-
The VMAs have long recognized the work of standout talent whose artistry has made an influential cultural impact over the past year, shifting the global cultural narrative while shaping the landscape of the music industry.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
-
That gives Bruni Tedeschi, Marcello and his co-writers Letizia Russo and Guido Silei a lot of freedom to mold this influential giant of the 19th century stage during a transitional period toward the end of her life.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Once a 19th-century military outpost, Fort Robinson now combines historic sites with miles of hiking and horseback trails.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The historic new daytime drama Beyond the Gates has officially set its second crossover with one of its CBS sister series, and its first from The Bold and the Beautiful.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
And that became a very important part of the character.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.—
Jordan Miller,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In a time of noise and distraction, his quiet yet authoritative voice continues to show the way.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For the first time in human history, your intelligence will no longer be critical to your survival.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Whether the Yankees are willing to make that type of commitment to a player who will be 37 years old by the time the contract extension concludes will be perhaps the most critical question for the legendary franchise in the coming offseason.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The closest major airport is Toronto Pearson International, with direct flights from New York, Chicago, Boston, and beyond.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gervais was not shy about admitting that Spinal Tap inspired his groundbreaking series.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Snoop Dogg has sparked backlash for anti-gay remarks made on a podcast, nearly two decades after his cameo on the groundbreaking lesbian drama The L Word.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share