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
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Krista McDonough Kubida has been appointed chief legal officer of The Wella Company, effective June 29.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
ABC News, 18 May 2026
The chief said on Sunday afternoon that investigators were searching for multiple suspect vehicles, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver four-door Mazda and a white Kia Optima.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Adjective
Speaking at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, two former chief diversity officers weighed in on why DEI remains important despite criticism from the current administration.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Krista McDonough Kubida has been appointed chief legal officer of The Wella Company, effective June 29.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Noun
Two of its top cardinals, doctrine chief Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and development chief Cardinal Michael Czerny, will be the main presenters.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The chief said on Sunday afternoon that investigators were searching for multiple suspect vehicles, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver four-door Mazda and a white Kia Optima.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chief
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Made from a lightweight, stretchy jersey material, this top naturally drapes gorgeously across the body.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Conrad Weiser was a Pennsylvania German who had roamed the frontier for decades, learning the Indian languages and befriending Indian leaders, including some who encountered Washington in Ohio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Alexey Maishev | Afp | Getty Images As Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to China, Moscow's leader will be keen not only to bolster ties with Beijing but also to extract key wins in areas of trade and energy.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cochran gave Bradley credit for that London show and many more that followed, putting him together with Noël Coward, the young George Balanchine, and the man who would become the foremost progenitor of ballet in Britain, Frederick Ashton.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
And there’s no one better to portray that than Drucker, who has become one of our foremost portrayers of women on the edge.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Social engagement, community involvement, and faith in the structures that organize daily life are among the study’s core predictors of whether an older adult feels their life has meaning—and all of them depend, at least in part, on trust.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Creating pieces that make women feel comfortable and confident through every stage of motherhood has always been at the core of Bumpsuit.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Part of every production assistant’s job is to help their boss thin the screenplay slush pile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Nevertheless, behind-the-scenes research will impress bosses and people in authority.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chief. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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