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Definitions

chief

[cheef] / tʃif /
ADJECTIVE
most important, essential
Synonyms
STRONGEST
leading main preeminent prime principal
STRONG
arch capital cardinal central champion first grand head key major premier primary ruling star superior telling
WEAK
consequential controlling crucial effective especial foremost highest momentous number one outstanding paramount potent predominant primal significant stellar supreme uppermost vital weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
auxiliary extra inferior minor secondary subordinate unimportant
STRONG
bad inessential insignificant lower nonessential poor
WEAK
unnecessary
NOUN
person in charge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
captain commander director head leader manager ruler superintendent supervisor
STRONG
President bigwig boss chieftain dictator foreperson general governor honcho monarch overlord overseer principal proprietor ringleader sovereign suzerain
WEAK
big cheese big gun big wheel head honcho head person key player top brass top cat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee follower
WEAK
apprentice servant subordinate underling worker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He’s the ultimate optimist,” said Cathy Merrill, chief executive of Washingtonian Media and a childhood friend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Ellison, chief executive and chairman of Paramount and a major Republican donor, is hosting a dinner with Trump on Thursday at the U.S.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

DeBusschere, founder and chief market strategist at 22V Research, was expressing his opinions on Danny Moses’ “On The Tape” podcast in an episode aired Wednesday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Paramount has enlisted a former Trump administration official, lawyer Makan Delrahim, who served as Trump’s antitrust chief during the president’s first term.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

It was the black metal key card of the commander in chief, a card that hung around the commander’s neck until it was time to hand it off to the next commander.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Vocabulary lists containing chief

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Aztec, Maya, and Inca Empires - Introductory

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Native American History - Middle School and High School

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!