as in influential
very important especially in having a strong influence on things that come later
She authored several seminal papers that are frequently cited in later works because they laid the theoretical groundwork for future studies.
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Recent Examples of seminal
One of the most seminal slashers on Scream’s moodboard, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is widely considered to be one of the most influential, and controversial, horror films.
—
Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Legislators resisted attempts to weaken the seminal legislation.
—Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The show draws inspiration from Cabrera’s seminal text, published in English for the first time in 2023 by Duke University Press.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
That’s the seminal question CMOs and loyalty leaders need to resolve.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Legislators resisted attempts to weaken the seminal legislation.
—Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The show draws inspiration from Cabrera’s seminal text, published in English for the first time in 2023 by Duke University Press.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
That’s the seminal question CMOs and loyalty leaders need to resolve.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
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Psychologist Meg Jay, in her influential book The Defining Decade, warns against passivity but also reassures that change and momentum can be built at any age.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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One influential boxing figure in the United States, who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect working relationships, said the Saudi purses have changed how fighters assess their bouts.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From host Nate Bargatze's Boys and Girls Club gamble to Tramell Tillman's historic win, here are the most notable highs and lows from the Primetime Emmy Awards.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
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Consumer sentiment is slipping near historic lows.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plants captured more carbon without drawing more water, an important factor for real-world applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These risks multiply when multiple agents collaborate, each trusting outputs from others as authoritative inputs.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.—
Jordan Miller,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Xi Jinping has remarked that relying on foreign supply of critical technologies—like semiconductors—is tantamount to building one's house on someone else's foundation.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Bynum made a diving catch that extinguished a critical drive for the Broncos.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with 84% of people perceiving government corruption to be a major problem.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Atlanta carrier plummeted from first place in 2022 to seventh in 2024 — the biggest drop of any major airline.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The twist doesn’t suggest a break from the iconic character’s groundbreaking story arc of the last few years.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
18 Sep. 2025
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To a casual consumer, this might not seem particularly groundbreaking, but to the whiskey enthusiast segment, the idea flies directly in the face of a broader cultural shift that has brought bigger, bolder, and higher-proof whiskies into the spotlight over the last 25 years.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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