preeminent
adjective
pre·em·i·nent prē-ˈe-mə-nənt 
: having paramount rank, dignity, or importance : outstanding, supreme
preeminently adverb
Did you know?
What is noteworthy about the following sentence? "Denali Mountain is a prominent eminence on the Alaskan landscape." You very likely recognized two words that are closely related to preeminent: prominent and eminence. All three words are rooted in the Latin verb stem -minēre, meaning "to stand out." Mount is also a related word: it comes from Latin mont- or mons, meaning "mountain," which shares a common ancestor with -minēre. Mount leads us in turn to paramount, a word closely related in meaning to preeminent.
Synonyms
- arch
- big
- capital
- cardinal
- central
- chief
- dominant
- first
- foremost
- grand
- great
- greatest
- highest
- key
- leading
- main
- master
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- overbearing
- overmastering
- overriding
- paramount
- predominant
- premier
- primal
- primary
- principal
- prior
- sovereign
- sovran
- supreme
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She's the preeminent chef in a city that has many good ones. The poem is a preeminent example of his work.
Recent Examples on the Web The creators of the clothing brand Online Ceramics also speak about their popular graphics based on the preeminent emblems of the Dead that are branded on American fashion and culture. 
Noah Eckstein, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 Candidates running for local D.C. offices discussed strategies for violent crime prevention at a forum in Southeast Washington this week, grappling once again with a topic that District voters say is a preeminent concern. Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 In Shaw’s first eight seasons (2011-18) as the Cardinal’s head coach, Stanford and Oregon could lay claim to being the Pac-12’s preeminent program. Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Sep. 2022 For years, that music provided a temperature check on American politics, with the rocker long considered one of the country's preeminent crafters of socially conscious music. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 Throughout the trip, the pours of preeminent sake will be accompanied by local delicacies and live music performances. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2022 Burr, who lives in LA, might be the present day’s preeminent exporter of the acute Boston accent and the locals’ propensity for reveling in our own absurd posturing. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Tesla's foil isn't a silver-haired US Senator, world-class autonomous driving experts, or some of the country's preeminent safety advocates. Matt Mcfarland, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 Yet Frankfurter was, throughout his time as a justice, the nation’s preeminent advocate of judicial restraint. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Noah Eckstein, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 Candidates running for local D.C. offices discussed strategies for violent crime prevention at a forum in Southeast Washington this week, grappling once again with a topic that District voters say is a preeminent concern. Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 In Shaw’s first eight seasons (2011-18) as the Cardinal’s head coach, Stanford and Oregon could lay claim to being the Pac-12’s preeminent program. Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Sep. 2022 For years, that music provided a temperature check on American politics, with the rocker long considered one of the country's preeminent crafters of socially conscious music. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 Throughout the trip, the pours of preeminent sake will be accompanied by local delicacies and live music performances. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2022 Burr, who lives in LA, might be the present day’s preeminent exporter of the acute Boston accent and the locals’ propensity for reveling in our own absurd posturing. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Tesla's foil isn't a silver-haired US Senator, world-class autonomous driving experts, or some of the country's preeminent safety advocates. Matt Mcfarland, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 Yet Frankfurter was, throughout his time as a justice, the nation’s preeminent advocate of judicial restraint. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin praeeminent-, praeeminens, from Latin, present participle of praeeminēre to be outstanding, from prae- + eminēre to stand out — more at eminent
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
preeminent
adjective
1
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance the preeminent reason for the booming economy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- greatest
- main
- foremost
- dominant
- highest
- predominant
- primary
- leading
- supreme
- first
- premier
- chief
- principal
- big
- central
- key
- paramount
- cardinal
- master
- great
- sovereign
- overriding
- capital
- prior
- distinguished
- primal
- top
- eminent
- major
- outstanding
- overbearing
- number one
- arch
- prestigious
- grand
- illustrious
- notable
- overmastering
- superior
- stellar
- sovran
- senior
- important
- numero uno
- renowned
- No. 1
- noteworthy
- influential
- star
- matchless
- incomparable
- signal
- famed
- unparalleled
- famous
- mighty
- noble
- momentous
- celebrated
- significant
- high-level
- unsurpassed
- unequaled
- unequalled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- least
- last
- secondary
- minor
- subordinate
- negligible
- slight
- unimportant
- trivial
- inferior
- insignificant
- subsidiary
- inconsequential
- inconsiderable
- trifling
- collateral
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the preeminent golfer of his generation Synonyms & Similar Words
- chief
- foremost
- commanding
- supreme
- presiding
- leading
- top
- primary
- lead
- premier
- principal
- senior
- first
- prime
- high
- head
- in charge
- main
- managing
- supereminent
- reigning
- predominant
- major
- dominant
- ruling
- paramount
- controlling
- directing
- supervisory
- overseeing
- high-level
- predominate
- sovereign
- superior
- ascendant
- regnant
- officiating
- upper
- topmost
- uppermost
- grand
- ascendent
- sovran
- upmost
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- second
- lesser
- secondary
- subordinate
- ancillary
- subsidiary
- less
- lower
- last
- inferior
- lowly
- junior
- assisting
- under
- assistant
- deputy
- coadjutor
3
as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a meeting of preeminent scientists from around the world Synonyms & Similar Words
- distinguished
- outstanding
- prestigious
- illustrious
- famous
- notable
- eminent
- noteworthy
- superior
- renowned
- star
- honored
- celebrated
- signal
- luminous
- noble
- famed
- redoubtable
- infamous
- bright
- reputable
- glorious
- dominant
- notorious
- exalted
- predominant
- paramount
- astral
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- minor
- inferior
- unimportant
- average
- insignificant
- mediocre
- obscure
- unsung
- uncelebrated