1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
our chief priority this year will be cutting the budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in presiding
highest in rank or authority
the chief administrator will be retiring soon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in body
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the chief of the estate was left to the eldest son
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
our chief is out on a business trip right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chief
Miami Herald, 6 July 2025
As a result, Tehran has tried to balance Chinese influence by maintaining strong ties to India, Beijing’s chief rival within the developing world.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Indeed, the film would have been a bonafide disaster if not for the self-possessiveness of its cast, Rachel Brosnahan chief among them.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Gatlin’s yearly salary as the Foundation’s chief operating officer rose to about $300,000 in 2024.
—Miami Herald, 6 July 2025
As a result, Tehran has tried to balance Chinese influence by maintaining strong ties to India, Beijing’s chief rival within the developing world.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Noun
Chell, who was chief of patrol at the time of the wrongdoing alleged in the new lawsuits, took over as chief of department after Maddrey’s resignation.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Indeed, the film would have been a bonafide disaster if not for the self-possessiveness of its cast, Rachel Brosnahan chief among them.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
The circular balcony, which looks down on the museum’s main lobby, is festooned with ribbons from the ceremony that took place when the Long Wharf moved from its longtime home on the loading dock to offices in the Audubon arts district.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
-
The project’s data goes through June 10, and only includes administrative immigration arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, the agency’s main arm that enforces immigration policy.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
The body always tells the truth, and your body on that lie detector test spoke loud and clear.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
-
In terms of the new La Liga season, Barca asked for their first matches to be scheduled away from home and the competition body has granted this.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The White House sent letters to leaders of several countries announcing blanket tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% starting Aug. 1.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
-
The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, addresses the audience to celebrate his 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple, on July 06, 2025 in Dharamshala, India.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Ziegler, one of the world’s foremost experts on the history and law of reproductive rights in the U.S., draws on decades of scholarship.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and joined by the city of Los Angeles, set for arguments in court on Thursday, addresses the core of the raids themselves and could deal a significant policy blow to the Trump administration.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
Wake Forest University School of Medicine serves as the academic core of Advocate Health.—
Chase Jordan
July 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Jumper eventually became air boss on the Midway, as the Vietnam War was fading out.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
In January 2005, a 31-year-old Horner waited in the car park of the team’s factory while the former Jaguar F1 boss was being dismissed, before being introduced to the workforce as the youngest team principal in F1 history upon the rebrand to Red Bull Racing.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Now Vest has 15 saves and has blossomed into the Tigers’ primary ninth-inning option.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Fortunately, the various streaming platforms that ride sidecar with the primary ratings engine of TV are recapturing a healthy percentage of the younger crowd who represent the future of sports consumption.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Tigers have been the surprise team in baseball this season and currently have a commanding lead in the AL Central.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
Trump’s criticism came after Mamdani, 33, took a commanding lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary race.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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