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
At the same time, leverage is increasing investors' AI exposure, as hedge funds and other investors use prime brokerage borrowing and derivatives to amplify returns on their bets on the boom. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 The Alt Hotel sits directly across from the museum and overlooks the river, putting you in a prime spot for exploring. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
Four of the five major primes carry buy ratings from analysts. — Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 While we were fixated on Giannis Antetokounmpo and gave up our entire young core and draft for the next ten years, the 76ers steal Jaylen Brown for a past-his-prime Paul George and then pivot to steal LeBron right from under us. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 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
  • United great Paul Scholes, Salford’s chief football advisor, made clear just last week that the club are still chasing something bigger but, for now, the current setup seems just right.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Amir Becker, Dream’s chief business and strategy officer, said the way the AI system operated in this latest case was alarming.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • Albies is an excellent contact hitter, putting the bat on the ball, and driving the ball to the gaps.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Located in the heart of the Marais, a restaurant at the Centre Pompidou would have to be pretty special to compete against all the excellent neighboring options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Noun
  • Why Deadheading Will Help Next Year’s Roses Deadheading is the practice of removing dead blooms from your plant to encourage more growth.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Warm and lush, earthy and bold, the scent has an ornate quality that’s more vase-of-roses-in-a-chinoiserie-sitting-room than dewy, garden-fresh bloom.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bloom
Noun
  • 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
  • Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests.
    — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Definition of best
Verb
  • When a problem gets this big, such simple diagnostics can be invaluable for grounding solutions in reality.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Jared Young grounded into a force-out to put runners at the corners, but Francisco Alvarez popped out in foul territory, and Marcus Semien grounded into a force-out.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of ground
Adjective
  • ActiveCampaign Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Today, perhaps the foremost image of a moderate is that of a centrist on a left-right spectrum.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Ryan Eckley did great holding — good job stepping in on our operation, which was awesome.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Scott made it to her feet and was allowed to continue, which wasn't the greatest decision by the referee.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Noun
  • For large, mature plants, dividing can also help support vigorous blooming, as overcrowding can negatively impact the plant’s ability to develop blooms.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 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

primary schools
prime
primed
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Cite this Entry

“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prime. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prime

Nglish: Translation of prime for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prime

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