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
This seminal text challenged the prevailing theory of an eternal, unchanging heavens.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
To her, the band had created a seminal text — a beautifully campy piece of art, and a vital source of inspiration for her own approach to songwriting.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The curriculum tackles a small number of seminal topics in each school year—like ratio and proportion or the concept of integers—and teaches these deeply from multiple angles.
—Linda Darling-Hammond, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
First appearing as a genre-defining manga that ran throughout the 1980s, Akira is best known as the seminal 1988 anime that was a defining moment for adult animation and Japanese culture in terms of reaching a worldwide audience.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
To her, the band had created a seminal text — a beautifully campy piece of art, and a vital source of inspiration for her own approach to songwriting.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The curriculum tackles a small number of seminal topics in each school year—like ratio and proportion or the concept of integers—and teaches these deeply from multiple angles.
—Linda Darling-Hammond, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
First appearing as a genre-defining manga that ran throughout the 1980s, Akira is best known as the seminal 1988 anime that was a defining moment for adult animation and Japanese culture in terms of reaching a worldwide audience.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
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As the platform nears its 15th anniversary, Instagram is launching a bold new campaign called ANYWAY—a global creative movement co-created with some of today’s most influential artists, including Tyler,The Creator, Rosalía, Fred Again.., Cole Bennett, Clint 419, Nadia Lee Cohen, and Slawn.—
Bryanna Symone,
Essence,
10 July 2025
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Keen, one of the most influential artists in Texas history, has a ranch outside Kerrville.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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July 13, 1980: As part of a historic heat wave, temperatures reached 108 at Little Rock while Beedeville (Jackson County) topped out at a scorching 112. July 14, 1954: Forest fires burned thousands of acres of timberland as the result of an extended heat wave combined with low humidity and no rain.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
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This was a historic, first-of-its-kind approach to disaster funding: putting states first by providing upfront recovery support — moving money faster than ever and jump starting recovery.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Yes, even more important than excellence in math and science.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
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How to spot a fake Social Security scam email While phishing emails are designed to look convincing, there are always subtle but important signs that give them away.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
14 July 2025
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There’s an authoritative front grille and bumper, and revised rear tail lights.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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States loan the money to cities and towns at low interest rates, enabling communities to spread out the cost of critical government services people take for granted, such as replacing leaky street mains, maintaining treatment plants and rehabbing water towers.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
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This figure has already surpassed the 1,274 cases recorded during the peak year of 2019, marking a critical public health milestone reached just halfway through 2025.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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With The Hartford being one of Main Street America’s major sponsors, the local organization could eligible for additional funding in the future, Fukala said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Why Verification Matters Imagine an AI agent tasked with reconciling expenses for a major corporation.—
Calum Chace,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The lights, smoke, video screens, levers and pulleys that went into recreating the movie’s groundbreaking special effects were worth every penny.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
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Since the commencement of the picture wall’s restoration, a truly groundbreaking project, the initiative is set to finally conclude towards the tail-end of this year, after seven laborious years.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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