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
Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The environment is perhaps Charles’ chief concern as head of state.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Dern plays Monsanto’s chief toxicologist, who testifies during the trial that Roundup is safe.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Chris Oliviero, chief business officer for Audacy, said the moves are aimed at providing more local content to listeners in the Los Angeles market.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The environment is perhaps Charles’ chief concern as head of state.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Ferguson previously served as assistant chief of the Baldwin Police Department.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Dern plays Monsanto’s chief toxicologist, who testifies during the trial that Roundup is safe.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
Three main risks should worry Congress, the courts and every American about the rapid rise of these markets.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Surges can sometimes indicate an underlying wiring issue or a problem with your main breaker.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two former players were deemed permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA play after the governing body found them in violation of potential game manipulation for sports betting.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The modeling industry has long played a role in perpetuating unrealistic body standards, though there have been cyclical advances and setbacks.—
Rory Satran,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The crowd includes top business leaders, including Apple’s Tim Cook and NVIDIA's Jensen Huang.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Senior defender Peyton Johnson, Elizabeth’s older sister, is Oswego’s other team leader.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dhawan is considered one of India’s foremost filmmakers in the comedy genre.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
One of the nation's foremost civic reenactment organizations and historical societies, the Lexington Minute Men represent the original colonial militia who fought in the first battle of the American Revolution.—
Eric Fisher,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The core dispute is the skyrocketing cost of healthcare premiums.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Objects that formed between the soot and frost lines will be less dense, will have the capacity to possess some volatiles, and can have a wide variety of masses, but should always have rock-and-metal cores.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Menin has supported Wilson, Bottcher’s former chief of staff, who had his ex-boss’s blessing in the race.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On behalf of everyone at Disney, on behalf of [new CEO] Josh [D’Amaro] and [Disney Entertainment, Studios, chairman] Alan Bergman and [FX boss] John Landgraf and Debra OConnell, our new head of Disney Entertainment Television.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By reducing interfacial resistance and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites, the technology addresses a primary mechanical barrier to the commercial use of lithium metal anodes.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
First District voters will choose a Republican candidate in the May 5 primary election.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On Monday night, the Magic stunned the Pistons in Central Florida to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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