Synonyms for chief
noun
The outstanding person or thing
leader, head, principal, manager, boss, overseer, governor, president, foreman, proprietor, supervisor, superior, director, chair, chairman, ringleader, general, master, dictator, superintendent, ruler, captain, commander, big shot*, brass hat*, higher-up*, bigwig*, big wheel*, big cheese*; high muck-a-muck*, head honcho*, número uno* (Spanish), prima donna*, triton among minnows*, the only pebble on the beach*, the biggest frog in the puddle*; see also administrator, leader 2.
Antonyms subordinate, underling, retainer.
A chieftain
ruler, prince, master, sachem, sagamore, emperor, duke, majesty, monarch, overlord, suzerain, lord, potentate, sovereign, chieftain, headman, elder, Maharaja, sahib, Rajah, boyar, effendi, emir, sheik, pasha; see also king 1, ruler 1.
See chief in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
chief principal main leading 1foremost primary prime
These adjectives refer to what is first in rank or in importance. Chief applies to a person of the highest authority: a chief magistrate.
Used figuratively, chief implies maximum importance or value: her chief joy.
Principal applies to someone or something of the first order in power or significance: their principal source of entertainment.
Main applies to what exceeds others in extent, size, or importance: the main building on the campus.
Leading suggests personal magnetism, a record of achievement, or capacity for influencing others: one of the leading physicians of the city.
Foremost emphasizes the sense of having forged ahead of others: the foremost research scientist of the day.
Primary stresses first in the sense of origin, sequence, or development: primary school.
It can also mean first in the sense of “fundamental”: the primary function of this machine.
Prime applies to what is first in comparison with others and to what is of the best quality: a theory of prime significance; a prime Burgundy.
See chief in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
noun
One who is highest in rank or authority:
boss, chieftain, director, head, headman, hierarch, leader, master. (Slang) honcho. Idiom: cock of the walk. See overA professional politician who controls a party or political machine:
boss, leader. See over- (Slang)
Someone who directs and supervises workers:
boss, director, foreman, foreperson, forewoman, head, manager, overseer, superintendent, supervisor, taskmaster, taskmistress. (Informal) straw boss. See over
adjective
Having or exercising authority:
head, principal. See overMost important, influential, or significant:
capital, cardinal, first, foremost, key, leading, main, major, number one, paramount, premier, primary, prime, principal, top. See important
Learn more about chief
