Synonyms of prime

prime 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in chief

highest in rank or authority

the prime strategist in the senator's presidential campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chief
• presiding
• foremost
• commanding
• supreme
• top
• primary
• leading
• first
• principal
• senior
• lead
• high
• premier
• head
• main
• in charge
• preeminent
• major
• predominant
• high-level
• supereminent
• dominant
• paramount
• managing
• upper
• controlling
• reigning
• supervisory
• overseeing
• sovereign
• topmost
• ascendant
• superior
• predominate
• uppermost
• regnant
• directing
• ruling
• grand
• officiating
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• last
• secondary
• lower
• less
• lesser
• subordinate
• ancillary
• inferior
• lowly
• subsidiary
• junior
• assisting
• under
• assistant
• deputy
• coadjutor

2

as in excellent

of the very best kind

owns a thousand acres of prime farmland

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• great
• terrific
• superb
• wonderful
• stellar
• lovely
• beautiful
• awesome
• fantastic
• fabulous
• marvelous
• hot
• fine
• quality
• classic
• famous
• top
• heavenly
• divine
• sensational
• grand
• superior
• cool
• neat
• superlative
• first-class
• choice
• primo
• good
• first-rate
• splendid
• slick
• exceptional
• immense
• blue-chip
• frontline
• cracking
• noble
• top-shelf
• sterling
• too much
• first-string
• swell
• prize
• topping
• blue-ribbon
• top-notch
• brave
• capital
• high-class
• topflight
• keen
• par excellence
• peachy
• unsurpassed
• out of this world
• dynamite
• dandy
• crackerjack
• decent
• banner
• supernal
• boss
• number one
• out-of-sight
• mean
• groovy
• bumper
• nifty
• tip-top
• bully
• dope
• gone
• radical
• better
• A1
• fab
• bang-up
• top-of-the-line
• adequate
• righteous
• corking
• special
• gangbusters
• prizewinning
• down
• satisfactory
• wizard
• hype
• boffo
• acceptable
• five-star
• fantabulous
• peachy keen
• phat
• bonny
• jim-dandy
• numero uno
• gilt-edged
• four-star
• A-OK
• classical
• traditional
• brag
• all right
• premium
• tolerable
• passable
• select
• OK
• high-grade
• standard
• fancy
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• lousy
• pathetic
• awful
• rotten
• wretched
• vile
• atrocious
• bad
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• substandard
• low-grade
• execrable
• mediocre
• middling
• second-class
• second-rate

prime

2 of 3

noun

ˈprīm 

1

as in bloom

a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement

in the prime of her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bloom
• blooming
• heyday
• flower
• pinnacle
• revival
• springtime
• blossom
• flush
• flowering
• salad days
• florescence
• autumn
• zenith
• high noon
• peak
• blossoming
• apex
• floruit
• meridian
• summit
• golden age
• climax
• grandeur
• glory
• efflorescence
• Indian summer
• acme
• recovery
• splendor
• silver age
• belle epoque
• comeback

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decline
• decay
• downfall
• bottom
• nadir
• wilting
• withering
• shriveling

2

as in best

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class

chose the prime of the litter of pups

Synonyms & Similar Words

• best
• elite
• aristocracy
• top
• choice
• elect
• flower
• A-list
• royalty
• cream
• Hall of Fame
• society
• cream of the crop
• quality
• priesthood
• pink
• upper crust
• pick
• pride
• fat
• crème de la crème
• corps d'elite
• establishment
• illuminati
• upper class
• nobility
• top drawer
• gentry
• caviar
• who's who

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• millions
• masses
• multitude
• herd
• mob
• rank and file
• commoners
• unwashed
• hoi polloi

prime

3 of 3

verb

as in to ground

Related Words

• ground
• mentor
• drill
• qualify
• prepare
• fit
• lesson
• coach
• teach
• school
• guide
• habilitate
• lead
• educate
• rear
• direct
• instruct
• preach
• lecture
• indoctrinate
• inculcate
• instill
• train
• tutor
• impart (to)
• implant
• moralize
• inform
• enlighten
• catechize
• brief
• verse
• familiarize
• edify
• show
• homeschool
• initiate
• introduce

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prime

Adjective

Entering 2026, Jump Source were in prime position to connect the dots between North America’s niche club music scenes and the mainstream. —Reid Bg, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026

The infamous gangster, who had set up shop in Cicero, quickly became a prime suspect but initially was nowhere to be found. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Noun

In the movie, co-written by Carney and Peter McDonald, Rick (Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Jonas) during a gig. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

These officials often framed their efforts as an attempt to increase competition in government contracting, so that markets long controlled by the defense primes could be opened up to smaller, less conventional firms. —Ben Tarnoff, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

Research shows these early exposures prime the immune system to recognize outside invaders for life. —Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026

Downtown Los Angeles residents, businesses and other city boosters want to try to prime the pump, using a program like San Francisco’s to help small businesses take over vacant storefronts and turn the lights back on, said Cassy Horton, co-founder of the Downtown Residents Assn. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026