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Chief synonyms

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leading
Principal; chief
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  1. Principal; chief
  2. Ranking first.
  3. Having a position in the lead; foremost:
main
Most important; principal.
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  1. Most important; principal.
  2. Chief in size, extent, importance, etc.; principal; leading; specif., designating a large central unit on which subsidiaries or branches depend
  3. (Nautical) Connected to or located near the mainmast:
foremost
First in rank or importance; leading
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  1. First in rank or importance; leading
  2. More prominent or important than others, especially in position or rank:
leader
One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature.
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  1. One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature.
  2. The principal performer in an orchestral section or a group.
  3. A person or thing that leads; directing, commanding, or guiding head, as of a group or activity
head
A single animal:
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  1. A single animal:
  2. The side of a coin having the principal design, often the profile of a political leader's head.
  3. A person who leads, rules, or is in charge; a leader, chief, or director:
principal
One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school, middle school, or high school.
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  1. One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school, middle school, or high school.
  2. Of greatest importance. Of greatest importance. One who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf as an agent; any person involved in the commission of a criminal act.
  3. A chief; head
manager
(--- Baseball) The person in overall charge of a team and its strategy during games, practice sessions, etc.
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  1. (--- Baseball) The person in overall charge of a team and its strategy during games, practice sessions, etc.
  2. In a school or college, a student in charge of the equipment and records of a team under the supervision of a coach
  3. One who is in charge of the business affairs of an entertainer.
boss
A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.
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  1. A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.
  2. A person in authority over employees, as an employer, a manager, or a foreman
  3. A person who controls a political machine or organization, as in a county
overseer
A supervisor or superintendent.
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  1. A supervisor or superintendent.
  2. One who watches over and directs the work of others, especially laborers.
governor
(--- Chiefly Brit.) The person in charge of an organization or institution, as a prison
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  1. (--- Chiefly Brit.) The person in charge of an organization or institution, as a prison
  2. The manager or administrative head of an organization, business, or institution.
  3. The elected head of any state of the U.S.
president
The chief executive of a republic having no prime minister
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  1. The chief executive of a republic having no prime minister
  2. The chief officer of a branch of government, corporation, board of trustees, university, or similar body.
  3. In parliamentary governments, the formal head, usually the presiding member of the legislative assembly or council
foreman
A man who chairs and speaks for a jury.
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  1. A man who chairs and speaks for a jury.
  2. A man who serves as the leader of a work crew, as in a factory.
  3. A person in charge of a department or group of workers in a factory, mill, etc.
proprietor
The owner of a proprietary colony
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  1. The owner of a proprietary colony
  2. A person who has a legal title or exclusive right to some property; owner
  3. One who has legal title to something; an owner.
supervisor
A person who supervises; superintendent; manager; director
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  1. A person who supervises; superintendent; manager; director
  2. One who is in charge of a particular department or unit, as in a governmental agency or school system.
  3. In certain school systems, an official in charge of the courses of study for a particular subject and of all teachers of that subject
superior
A superior person or thing
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  1. A superior person or thing
  2. One that surpasses another in rank or quality.
  3. The head of a religious community
director
Of a corporation, an individual selected to serve on its board of directors and thereby oversee the management of its affairs. Of a corporation, an individual selected to serve on its board of directors and thereby oversee the management of its affairs.
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  1. Of a corporation, an individual selected to serve on its board of directors and thereby oversee the management of its affairs. Of a corporation, an individual selected to serve on its board of directors and thereby oversee the management of its affairs.
  2. One who directs; the person in charge of managing a department or directorate (e.g., director of engineering), project, or production (as in a show or film, e.g., film director).
  3. A member of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of an institution or corporation.
chair
A seat carried about on poles; a sedan chair.
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  1. A seat carried about on poles; a sedan chair.
  2. A person who holds an office or a position of authority, such as one who presides over a meeting or administers a department of instruction at a college; a chairperson.
  3. A seat of office, authority, or dignity, such as that of a bishop.
chairman
The administrative head of a department of instruction, as at a college.
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  1. The administrative head of a department of instruction, as at a college.
  2. A person who presides at a meeting or heads a committee, board, etc.
  3. The head of a corporate or governmental board of directors, a committee, or other formal entity.
ringleader
A person who leads others, esp. in unlawful acts, opposition to authority, etc.
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  1. A person who leads others, esp. in unlawful acts, opposition to authority, etc.
general
The head of some religious orders
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  1. The head of some religious orders
  2. A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
  3. A general officer.
master
A special official appointed by a court to assist it, typically by making findings or rulings pertaining to matters specified by the court, typically, a “master” in divorce or custody, or a “master” to render an accounting; sometimes referred to as a “special master”.
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  1. A special official appointed by a court to assist it, typically by making findings or rulings pertaining to matters specified by the court, typically, a “master” in divorce or custody, or a “master” to render an accounting; sometimes referred to as a “special master”.
  2. (--- Old-fashioned) A man who is head of a household or institution
  3. Used as a title for a man who serves as the head or presiding officer of certain societies, clubs, orders, or institutions.
dictator
An absolute ruler.
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  1. An absolute ruler.
  2. In ancient Rome, a magistrate with supreme authority, appointed in times of emergency
  3. A person who orders others about domineeringly, or one whose pronouncements on some subject are meant to be taken as the final word
superintendent
A person in charge of a department, institution, etc.; director; supervisor
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  1. A person in charge of a department, institution, etc.; director; supervisor
  2. A janitor or custodian in a building, especially in an apartment house.
  3. A person responsible for the maintenance of a building; custodian
ruler
One, such as a monarch or dictator, that rules or governs.
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  1. One, such as a monarch or dictator, that rules or governs.
  2. A person or device that rules lines on paper, etc.
  3. A thin strip of wood, metal, etc. with a straight edge and markings in whole and fractional units of length, as inches or centimeters, used in drawing straight lines, measuring length, etc.
captain
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major.
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  1. A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major.
  2. The head of a group or division
  3. A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief.
commander
The chief officer of a unit in certain societies and fraternal orders
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  1. The chief officer of a unit in certain societies and fraternal orders
  2. A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.
  3. The chief commissioned officer of a military unit regardless of his or her rank.
big shot
(Slang) A person regarded as important or influential
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  1. (Slang) A person regarded as important or influential
  2. (Idiomatic) A person with a reputation of importance or power.
brass hat
A high-ranking civilian official.
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  1. A high-ranking civilian official.
  2. A military officer of high rank
  3. A high-ranking military officer.
higher-up
One who has a rank, position, or status superior to others.
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  1. One who has a rank, position, or status superior to others.
  2. (Informal) A person of higher rank or position
bigwig
(Informal) An important, influential person
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  1. (Informal) An important, influential person
big wheel
A very important person.
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  1. A very important person.
head-honcho
(Idiomatic) The person in charge; the highest-ranking person in an organization.
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  1. (Idiomatic) The person in charge; the highest-ranking person in an organization.
prima-donna
(Informal) A temperamental, vain, or arrogant person
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  1. (Informal) A temperamental, vain, or arrogant person
  2. The leading woman soloist in an opera company.
  3. The principal woman singer in an opera or concert
ruler
A person or thing that rules or governs
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  1. A person or thing that rules or governs
  2. A person or device that rules lines on paper, etc.
  3. One, such as a monarch or dictator, that rules or governs.
prince
An outstanding man, especially in a particular group or class:
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  1. An outstanding man, especially in a particular group or class:
  2. A ruler whose rank is below that of king; head of a principality
  3. A hereditary male ruler; a king.
master
A man who owns a pack of hounds or is the chief officer of a hunt.
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  1. A man who owns a pack of hounds or is the chief officer of a hunt.
  2. Used formerly as a title for a man holding a naval office ranking next below a lieutenant on a warship.
  3. In Scotland, the heir apparent of a viscount or baron
sachem
A member of the ruling council of the Iroquois confederacy.
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  1. A member of the ruling council of the Iroquois confederacy.
  2. A high official of the Tammany Society, a political organization in New York City.
  3. A chief of a Native American tribe or confederation, especially an Algonquian chief.
sagamore
A chief of second rank among certain tribes of North American Indians
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  1. A chief of second rank among certain tribes of North American Indians
emperor
The supreme ruler of an empire
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  1. The supreme ruler of an empire
  2. The male ruler of an empire.
  3. The emperor moth.
duke
A nobleman of the highest hereditary rank below that of prince
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  1. A nobleman of the highest hereditary rank below that of prince
  2. A prince who rules an independent duchy
  3. The title of a duke.
majesty
Supreme authority or power:
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  1. Supreme authority or power:
  2. Sovereign power, dignity, or grandeur:
  3. The dignity or power of a sovereign
monarch
A monarch butterfly.
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  1. A monarch butterfly.
  2. A sole and absolute ruler.
  3. A sovereign, such as a king or empress, often with constitutionally limited authority:
overlord
Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.
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  1. Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.
  2. A lord ranking above other lords, esp. in the feudal system
  3. A lord having power or supremacy over other lords.
suzerain
A state in its relation to a semiautonomous state over which it exercises political control
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  1. A state in its relation to a semiautonomous state over which it exercises political control
  2. A feudal lord to whom fealty was due.
  3. A feudal lord
lord
Used as a courtesy title for a younger son of a duke or marquis.
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  1. Used as a courtesy title for a younger son of a duke or marquis.
  2. A man who by courtesy or because of his office is given the title of Lord, as a bishop, a younger son of a duke or marquess, or a Lord Mayor
  3. A king.
potentate
A person having great power; ruler; monarch
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  1. A person having great power; ruler; monarch
  2. One who has the power and position to rule over others; a monarch.
sovereign
A person, state, or group that is preeminent and independent of the will of others; the ruler of an autocratic state. See also sovereignty. A person, state, or group that is preeminent and independent of the will of others; the ruler of an autocratic state. See also sovereignty.
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  1. A person, state, or group that is preeminent and independent of the will of others; the ruler of an autocratic state. See also sovereignty. A person, state, or group that is preeminent and independent of the will of others; the ruler of an autocratic state. See also sovereignty.
  2. A person who possesses sovereign authority or power; specif., a monarch or ruler
  3. A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch.
chieftain
The leader or head of a group, especially of a clan or tribe.
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  1. The leader or head of a group, especially of a clan or tribe.
  2. A chief or leader, esp. of a clan or tribe
headman
A leader, chief, or overseer
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  1. A leader, chief, or overseer
  2. Alternative spelling of head man.
  3. The chief man especially of a tribal or traditional village.
elder
Any of various unrelated plants, as the box elder or the marsh elder
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  1. Any of various unrelated plants, as the box elder or the marsh elder
  2. An older person with some authority or dignity in a tribe or community
  3. A forefather; ancestor; predecessor
maharaja
A king or prince in India ranking above a raja, especially the sovereign of one of the former native states.
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  1. A king or prince in India ranking above a raja, especially the sovereign of one of the former native states.
  2. Used as a title for such a king or prince.
sahib
Used as a form of address for a man in South Asia.
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  1. Used as a form of address for a man in South Asia.
  2. A European man in colonial India.
  3. Sir; master
rajah
A Malay or Javanese chief
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  1. A Malay or Javanese chief
  2. A Hindu prince or ruler in India
boyar
A member of the privileged aristocracy in czarist Russia, ranking just below the ruling princes
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  1. A member of the privileged aristocracy in czarist Russia, ranking just below the ruling princes
  2. A member of a class of higher Russian nobility that until the time of Peter I headed the civil and military administration of the country and participated in an early duma.
  3. (Historical) A rank of aristocracy (second only to princes) in Russia, Bulgaria and Romania.
effendi
In countries of the E Mediterranean, a man of high social status as a result of wealth, education, or position in the government
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  1. In countries of the E Mediterranean, a man of high social status as a result of wealth, education, or position in the government
  2. Used as a title of respect for men in Turkey, equivalent to sir.
  3. Sir; Mr.: a former Turkish title of respect
emir
A prince, chieftain, or governor, especially in the Middle East.
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  1. A prince, chieftain, or governor, especially in the Middle East.
  2. A title given Muhammad's descendants through his daughter Fatima
  3. A prince, commander or other leader or ruler in an Islamic nation.
sheik
(Slang, former) A masterful man to whom women are irresistibly attracted
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  1. (Slang, former) A masterful man to whom women are irresistibly attracted
  2. The chief of an Arab family, tribe, or village
  3. A Muslim religious or community leader
pasha
Used formerly as a title for military and civil officers, especially in Turkey and northern Africa.
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  1. Used formerly as a title for military and civil officers, especially in Turkey and northern Africa.
  2. A title of rank or honor placed after the name
  3. (Historical) A high-ranking Turkish military officer, especially as a commander or regional governor; the highest honorary title during the Ottoman Empire.
boss
A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.
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  1. A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.
  2. A person who controls a political machine or organization, as in a county
  3. A person in authority over employees, as an employer, a manager, or a foreman
chieftain
A chief or leader, esp. of a clan or tribe
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  1. A chief or leader, esp. of a clan or tribe
  2. The leader or head of a group, especially of a clan or tribe.
director
A member of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of an institution or corporation.
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  1. A member of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of an institution or corporation.
  2. One who directs; the person in charge of managing a department or directorate (e.g., director of engineering), project, or production (as in a show or film, e.g., film director).
  3. The head of a project, bureau, school, etc.; supervisor
head
(Anatomy) The rounded proximal end of a long bone:
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  1. (Anatomy) The rounded proximal end of a long bone:
  2. The seat of the faculty of reason; intelligence, intellect, or mind:
  3. A portrait or representation of a person's head.
headman
A leader, chief, or overseer
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  1. A leader, chief, or overseer
  2. The chief man especially of a tribal or traditional village.
  3. Alternative spelling of head man.
hierarch
The leader or chief of a religious group; high priest
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  1. The leader or chief of a religious group; high priest
  2. One who occupies a high position in a hierarchy:
leader
(Fishing) A short piece of catgut, nylon, etc. used to attach the hook or lure to the fish line
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  1. (Fishing) A short piece of catgut, nylon, etc. used to attach the hook or lure to the fish line
  2. One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature.
  3. A person or thing that leads; directing, commanding, or guiding head, as of a group or activity
master
The owner or keeper of an animal:
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  1. The owner or keeper of an animal:
  2. Used as a title for a man who serves as the head or presiding officer of certain societies, clubs, orders, or institutions.
  3. (--- Old-fashioned) A man who is head of a household or institution
honcho
A person who is in charge; a manager or leader:
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  1. A person who is in charge; a manager or leader:
boss
A person in authority over employees, as an employer, a manager, or a foreman
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  1. A person in authority over employees, as an employer, a manager, or a foreman
  2. A person who controls a political machine or organization, as in a county
  3. A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.
leader
A loss leader.
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  1. A loss leader.
  2. A person or thing that leads; directing, commanding, or guiding head, as of a group or activity
  3. One who heads a political party or organization.
boss
One who makes decisions or exercises authority.
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  1. One who makes decisions or exercises authority.
  2. A person who controls a political machine or organization, as in a county
  3. A person in authority over employees, as an employer, a manager, or a foreman
director
One who directs; the person in charge of managing a department or directorate (e.g., director of engineering), project, or production (as in a show or film, e.g., film director).
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  1. One who directs; the person in charge of managing a department or directorate (e.g., director of engineering), project, or production (as in a show or film, e.g., film director).
  2. A member of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of an institution or corporation.
  3. The head of a project, bureau, school, etc.; supervisor
foreman
A man who chairs and speaks for a jury.
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  1. A man who chairs and speaks for a jury.
  2. A man who serves as the leader of a work crew, as in a factory.
  3. A person in charge of a department or group of workers in a factory, mill, etc.
foreperson
A foreman or forewoman.
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  1. A foreman or forewoman.
  2. The leader of a work crew, as in a factory.
  3. The chair and spokesperson for a jury:
forewoman
A woman who serves as the leader of a work crew, as in a factory.
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  1. A woman who serves as the leader of a work crew, as in a factory.
  2. A woman who chairs and speaks for a jury.
head
(Anatomy) The rounded proximal end of a long bone:
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  1. (Anatomy) The rounded proximal end of a long bone:
  2. The seat of the faculty of reason; intelligence, intellect, or mind:
  3. A portrait or representation of a person's head.
manager
In a school or college, a student in charge of the equipment and records of a team under the supervision of a coach
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  1. In a school or college, a student in charge of the equipment and records of a team under the supervision of a coach
  2. A person who manages
  3. One who is in charge of the business affairs of an entertainer.
overseer
A supervisor or superintendent.
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  1. A supervisor or superintendent.
  2. One who watches over and directs the work of others, especially laborers.
superintendent
A person in charge of a department, institution, etc.; director; supervisor
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  1. A person in charge of a department, institution, etc.; director; supervisor
  2. A janitor or custodian in a building, especially in an apartment house.
  3. A person responsible for the maintenance of a building; custodian
supervisor
In certain school systems, an official in charge of the courses of study for a particular subject and of all teachers of that subject
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  1. In certain school systems, an official in charge of the courses of study for a particular subject and of all teachers of that subject
  2. A person who supervises; superintendent; manager; director
  3. One who is in charge of a particular department or unit, as in a governmental agency or school system.
taskmaster
A person who regularly imposes difficult or demanding tasks.
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  1. A person who regularly imposes difficult or demanding tasks.
  2. Someone who supervises workers, especially one who imposes hard or burdensome work.
taskmistress
Female equivalent of taskmaster.
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  1. Female equivalent of taskmaster.
  2. A woman who imposes tasks, especially burdensome or laborious ones.
straw boss
(US) A worker acting as a supervisor of other workers
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  1. (US) A worker acting as a supervisor of other workers
  2. A person having subordinate authority, as a foreman's assistant
  3. A worker who acts as a boss or crew leader in addition to performing regular duties.
head
Of, relating to, or intended for the head. Often used in combination:
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  1. Of, relating to, or intended for the head. Often used in combination:
  2. Placed at the top or the front:
  3. Foremost in rank or importance:
principal
Highest or among the highest in rank, authority, importance, degree, etc.
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  1. Highest or among the highest in rank, authority, importance, degree, etc.
  2. First or highest in rank or importance.
  3. That is or has to do with principal
capital
Of or relating to financial assets, especially being or related to those financial assets that add to the net worth of a business:
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  1. Of or relating to financial assets, especially being or related to those financial assets that add to the net worth of a business:
  2. Most important or most serious; principal; chief
  3. First and foremost; principal:
cardinal
Bright-red, like the robe of a cardinal
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  1. Bright-red, like the robe of a cardinal
  2. Of foremost importance; paramount:
  3. Of main importance; principal; chief
first
Preceding all others in a series; before any other; 1st
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  1. Preceding all others in a series; before any other; 1st
  2. Corresponding in order to the number one.
  3. Ranking above all others, as in importance or quality; foremost:
foremost
More prominent or important than others, especially in position or rank:
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  1. More prominent or important than others, especially in position or rank:
  2. First in rank or importance; leading
key
Controlling; essential; important
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  1. Controlling; essential; important
  2. Of crucial importance; significant:
leading
Occurring in advance; preceding.
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  1. Occurring in advance; preceding.
  2. Having a position in the lead; foremost:
  3. Ranking first.
main
Most important; principal.
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  1. Most important; principal.
  2. (Nautical) Connected to or located near the mainmast:
  3. Chief in size, extent, importance, etc.; principal; leading; specif., designating a large central unit on which subsidiaries or branches depend
major
Characterized by major intervals, scales, etc.
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  1. Characterized by major intervals, scales, etc.
  2. Designating a triad having intervals of a major third between the lower two pitches, and a minor third between the upper two pitches
  3. Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode:
number one
First in rank, order, or importance:
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  1. First in rank, order, or importance:
paramount
Highest in rank, power, or authority:
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  1. Highest in rank, power, or authority:
  2. Of chief concern or importance:
premier
First in status or importance; principal or chief:
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  1. First in status or importance; principal or chief:
primary
(Ornithology) Designating or of the large, stiff feathers on the last section, or hand, of a bird's wing
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  1. (Ornithology) Designating or of the large, stiff feathers on the last section, or hand, of a bird's wing
  2. Relating to the replacement of only one of several atoms or groups in a compound, such as an amine in which one valence of the functional group is taken by a carbon atom.
  3. First in importance; chief; principal; main
prime
Being the most desired or suitable example of something:
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  1. Being the most desired or suitable example of something:
  2. From which others are derived; fundamental; basic
  3. First or highest in rank or importance; main:
principal
Highest or among the highest in rank, authority, importance, degree, etc.
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  1. Highest or among the highest in rank, authority, importance, degree, etc.
  2. Of, relating to, or being financial principal, or a principal in a financial transaction.
  3. First or highest in rank or importance.
top
Of, situated at, or being the top; uppermost, highest, greatest, or foremost
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  1. Of, situated at, or being the top; uppermost, highest, greatest, or foremost
  2. Of the highest degree, quality, rank, or amount:
  3. Of or having to do with the Top 40 or the kind of popular music they represent
Find another word for chief. In this page you can discover 118 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for chief, like: leading, main, foremost, leader, head, principal, manager, boss, overseer, governor and president.

Sentence Examples

  • He was the chief ruler of that great city.

  • Jenn is the chief of my spies.

  • I wouldn't be a good spy chief if I killed my sources.

  • Of course, we all know he's a doctor, but I have to say Indian Chief isn't too far off, either.

  • My chief says for us not to break our butts wasting any more time chasing him down.

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Words that mention chief in the Dictionary

Words near chief in the Thesaurus