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 1960, in what would be the start of a seminal friendship, Jones was approached by King to be on his legal team in a tax evasion case brought by the state of Alabama.
—
Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Here are the four kinds of rituals that keep couples crazy about each other, even decades into a relationship, according to the seminal study.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
In 1960, in what would be the start of a seminal friendship, Jones was approached by King to be on his legal team in a tax evasion case brought by the state of Alabama.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
This entry provides an introduction to cyberculture history and seminal concepts, contextualizing its intellectual path, while expanding it into contemporary perspectives.
—Paulo Nuno Vicenteall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Here are the four kinds of rituals that keep couples crazy about each other, even decades into a relationship, according to the seminal study.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
In 1960, in what would be the start of a seminal friendship, Jones was approached by King to be on his legal team in a tax evasion case brought by the state of Alabama.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
This entry provides an introduction to cyberculture history and seminal concepts, contextualizing its intellectual path, while expanding it into contemporary perspectives.
—Paulo Nuno Vicenteall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
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Laura Loomer, an influential adviser to Trump, strongly opposes its closure.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Trump remains popular among his core supporters and influential for most Republican lawmakers, yet developments over the past two weeks have called into question his sway in the Senate in particular.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Among the most renowned establishments is Salon Corona, a restaurant and brewery in Mexico City’s historic center.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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During Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the foundation also leads specific tours with a narrow focus on the historic contributions of each group.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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China is North Korea’s top economic lifeline, accounting for the vast majority of the country’s foreign trade, and has long ranked as Pyongyang’s most important diplomatic partner.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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This year, owing to a mixup in the congressional budget, one of the government’s most important scholarships was left severely underfunded, depriving thousands of Peru’s neediest high-school graduates of the opportunity to continue their studies at local universities.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Silver’s background played an instrumental role in the NBA building a credible and authoritative case to expel Ballmer’s predecessor, Donald Sterling, as Clippers owner after Sterling’s racist comments led to NBA players threatening a boycott and sponsors cutting ties with the Clippers.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
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Read the authoritative profile of how Wilson has worked to make Homer modern.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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California officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have repeatedly refuted claims of fraud and, in fact, have defended the state’s slower process as critical to ensuring the counts are accurate.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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Remarkably, New York has actually been outscored by four points in his 75 total minutes through two games, yet his critical shot-making in the fourth quarters has come when his team has needed it most.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Today’s roundup covers major local food news, a tightening governor’s race, and a homicide arrest in North Sacramento.—
Ruyuan Li. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2026
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One major contributor, the docuseries seems to argue, is the downfall of the prosecution at the hands of its own witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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But sometimes the best, most groundbreaking work comes from those who, by luck or design, don’t even see the boundaries to begin with—which is as good of a place as any to begin the story of Cygnet Gin.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
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His influence was immortalized in 1983 when the late Diana Vreeland honored him with a groundbreaking retrospective at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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