prime 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of primenext
1
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the prime strategist in the senator's presidential campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind owns a thousand acres of prime farmland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prime

2 of 3

noun

ˈprīm How to pronounce prime (audio)
1
as in bloom
a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement in the prime of her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in best
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class chose the prime of the litter of pups

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prime

3 of 3

verb

as in to ground

Related Words

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 prime
Adjective
The company is also discussing other applications with defense prime contractors and government program offices. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 This is a prime example of how the director used touches of levity to make even the film’s more workmanlike segments entertaining. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Thompson, 36, is no longer in his prime but still an effective player. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Earth’s first Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, also drew criticism for being portrayed as an older, messier iteration of the most famous intergalactic peacekeeper rather than the more idealized version in his prime. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
Our favorite finds include a silky pull-on pant, an easy T-shirt dress primed for travel days, and more with final discounts of up to 63 percent. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 When push comes to shove, however, there can be multiple factors that can prime a film’s remake potential. — John Hopewell, Variety, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for prime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prime
  1. chief
  2. excellent
  3. bloom
  4. best
  5. ground
  6. foremost
  7. great
  8. blooming
Adjective
  • In light of the strong growth and inflation figures, the BOK would likely need to continue to raise rates, albeit with some caution, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After years of analysis, Caltrans has decided to weave strong micropiles into the 499 aging piles that now support the bridge’s piers, said Allan Kosup, chief deputy director of Caltrans District 11 in San Diego and Imperial counties.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Alas, this excellent advice goes into one of Joe’s ears and out the other.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Owls are predators whose eyes are positioned on the front of their heads, giving them excellent depth perception.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Noun
  • Lavender Lavender is a popular garden perennial for its pleasantly calming fragrance and profuse purple blooms.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The marsh was built in the 1990s to naturally clean dry-weather urban runoff from San Diego Creek and address the algae blooms that once existed in Upper Newport Bay, according to the water district’s website.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of bloom
Noun
  • Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of best
Verb
  • Caglianone represented the tying run but grounded out on the first pitch against Blue Jays closer Louis Varland.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Transportation was also the leading cause of fatal injuries among truck drivers, fishing and hunting workers, refuse collectors and grounds maintenance workers.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ground
Adjective
  • The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Alanna Rizzo is one of the foremost authorities on Major League Baseball.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Noun
  • Cutting back is done in mid-summer when foliage looks ragged and blooming slows to increase plant vigor, control height, and encourage a second flush of blooms.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Once blooms fade, seeds eventually begin to form, the plant becomes leggy, and blooming slows.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of blooming

Browse Nearby Words

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prime
primed
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Cite this Entry

“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prime. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prime

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prime

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