as in priority
the right to one's attention before other things considered less important
his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of precedence
And when autonomy and sustainability take precedence, growth can come under pressure.
—
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Her words represented a worldview that many subscribe to, namely that the demands of a sporting career should take precedence over one’s family.
—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
But, for one night, the Knicks' historic victory took precedence over a war of words.
—
Dan Zaksheske Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
His youngest son, 21-year-old Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, is the presumptive heir because sons take precedence over daughters.
—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Her words represented a worldview that many subscribe to, namely that the demands of a sporting career should take precedence over one’s family.
—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
But, for one night, the Knicks' historic victory took precedence over a war of words.
—
Dan Zaksheske Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
His youngest son, 21-year-old Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, is the presumptive heir because sons take precedence over daughters.
—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
-
Hall went north alone again in the spring of 1776 as Georgia’s patriot government, which had removed the royal governor in January and taken control of the colony, debated the priorities the colony would pursue at the Congress.
-
Increasing access to childcare has been one of Newsom's priorities over his tenure, and the budget funds nearly 23,000 new childcare spaces for the upcoming fiscal year.
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precedence. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
