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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precedence
Singing the album straight through, there was no question that Allen sounded great — almost effortless — but the storytelling took precedence over the music, with a backing track playing as opposed to live musicians.
—
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Subsidizing wind turbines and solar developments cannot take precedence over providing affordable, reliable energy for Maryland families, seniors and small businesses.
—Jason Buckel, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Or does losing to collect as many draft lottery balls as possible take precedence?
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
One target took absolute precedence, however, and getting him in a favorable spot was the trigger of the entire war — former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Subsidizing wind turbines and solar developments cannot take precedence over providing affordable, reliable energy for Maryland families, seniors and small businesses.
—Jason Buckel, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Or does losing to collect as many draft lottery balls as possible take precedence?
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
One target took absolute precedence, however, and getting him in a favorable spot was the trigger of the entire war — former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precedence
priority
Noun
-
Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Here are the restaurants in Kansas City and Johnson and Wyandotte counties that received seven or more critical violations or priority/priority foundation violations from March 15 to 28.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precedence. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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