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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.

Last week, Canada’s trade chief said that relief from tariffs on automobiles, steel, aluminum and other sectors would be necessary to renew the USMCA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

“The rise in energy prices affects people significantly,” said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

R&A chief executive Mark Darbon says that players guilty of on-course misconduct could receive a two shot penalty at the Open in July.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Cassie Sauer, chief executive officer of the Washington State Hospital Association, said that the WISeR vendor in that state, Virtix Health, appears “particularly aggressive and unresponsive.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

A senior chief petty officer named Angel Torres remembered, “All of the sudden, this big cloud engulfs us. It wasn’t white smoke. It was like something I’d never seen before.”

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Vocabulary lists containing chief

Native American History - Introductory

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Aztec, Maya, and Inca Empires - Introductory

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Native American History - Middle School and High School

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