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.

“We hit a demographic wall,” says Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

"We want to make the Graham Norton of video games," says Kirsty Rigden, the chief executive of Brighton-based FuturLab, which makes PowerWash Simulator.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

OpenAI product and business chief Fidji Simo is taking medical leave for several weeks due to a worsening neuroimmune condition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

There’s a disconnect between low unemployment rates and worker sentiment, said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

According to Rada’s business card, he was the worldwide chief of security for Sinclair Scientifica.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

chief

Example Sentences

Related Words