SEMINAL Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

seminal

adjective

Definition of seminal

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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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 Clark Kent, as well as Irv Gotti, were seminal figures in this Roc-A-Fella story. — Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The result would turn up more than 20 years later as On the Origin of Species, Darwin’s seminal work explaining the theory of evolution through natural selection. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 14, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2026 Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, a seminal moment that drastically altered the landscape and psyche of American society and the globe. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 But what a great idea for big-screen treatment of a seminal series, down to the theme song and tropical vistas. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seminal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal

Adjective

While a handful of less-influential militias have agreed to turn over their weapons, powerful groups close to Iran rejected the prospect or set conditions for disarming that the government would be unlikely to meet.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
This gift is a big swing from one of the country’s most influential business leaders and philanthropists.

— Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

The New York Liberty are peaking at the right time and were able to complete a historic sweep of the Minnesota Lynx to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

— Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Of course, Hemingway and McCarthy weren’t writing amid democratic backsliding and historic polarization.

— Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of historic

Adjective

While a push east for Marib would get the Houthis the most resources, a southern push appears to be more strategically important for the time being.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of important

Adjective

OpenAI says those institutions appear frequently because research agents often receive instructions to consult authoritative public sources.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Improving visibility across Google, ChatGPT and other AI search experiences increasingly requires teams to publish authoritative content, structure information clearly and make technical and content changes quickly.

— James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

But expanding domestic and allied capacity to manufacture the most critical medicines and ingredients — and maintain adequate strategic reserves — would dramatically reduce China’s leverage in any future crisis.

— Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Hospital Association reports critical shortages of health care workers across the state.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Wildfires encroached on major European cities, a once unthinkable threat.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of major

Adjective

The groundbreaking event was attended by Tang and Hsu-Tang and the Met’s modern and contemporary art curator David Breslin, director and CEO Max Hollein, and head of capital projects Brett Gallard.

— Leigh Anne Miller for ARTnews, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026
Yedvab said most groundbreaking technologies benefitting humanity have been made by for-profit companies, albeit often building on academic research.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of groundbreaking

Browse Nearby Words

semimonthly

seminal

seminar

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“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of seminal

adjective

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