SEMINAL Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

seminal

adjective

Definition of seminal

as in influential

very important especially in having a strong influence on things that come later She authored several seminal papers that are frequently cited in later works because they laid the theoretical groundwork for future studies.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of seminal The 1979 Pakhtakor disaster carries seminal significance within Uzbekistan. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2026 For Doom, Prince took inspiration from a pile of CDs loaned by the game’s chief designer, John Romero, including seminal works by Alice in Chains, Pantera and Metallica. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 Based on Harper Lee's seminal novel, the movie casts Gregory Peck as lawyer Atticus Finch, who in Depression-era Alabama defends a Black man wrongly accused of raping a young white woman. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026 All of which is why the current pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo feels like a seminal moment to see if the Midas touch remains, no matter that Mourning, Hardaway, O’Neal, Bosh and Allen all went on to induction to the Hall of Fame, or that Dragic and Butler helped lead the Heat to the NBA Finals. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for seminal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal

Adjective

The world's most influential creative institutions are beginning to recognize and showcase AI creators not as fringe, but as legitimate members of the creative community.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
The Kentucky Republican is regarded as one of the most influential and consequential American politicians in modern history.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

The historic 1920s tower that once housed the beloved Ace Hotel is entering a new era just in time for the summer.

— Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
As a potentially historic heat wave hits Philadelphia, many fans made cooling off their first priority during Wednesday's Phillies game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park.

— Eva Andersen, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of historic

Adjective

One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
As technology becomes more sophisticated and the number of living survivors continues to decline, preserving authentic testimony becomes even more important.

— Eva Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of important

Adjective

By separating address grouping, attribution, and operator, the proposal addresses a weakness that has long existed in blockchain analytics; confidence can be mistaken for proof especially given the lack of authoritative auditing standards.

— Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Your 10th House of Career and Status gets a quiet lift from the Moon, which trines authoritative Saturn in your 2nd House of Finances.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

The unorthodox midterm convention comes as Democrats continue to poll stronger than Republicans ahead of November's critical elections.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Kennard could have provided a critical floor-spacing piece around Doncic, who thrives when surrounded by lob-catching centers, athletic wings and knockdown shooters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Maybe Bill Plaschke would be aware of that, and give due credit, if his hometown major newspaper bothered to have a dedicated correspondent covering one of the city’s NBA teams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of major

Adjective

Filmed in Technicolor, its visual effects were truly groundbreaking, as the movie imagined alien terrors that, before then, had only been possible on the page or on radio.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 July 2026
What's a groundbreaking Father's Day gift to give to your dad?

— Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026

Definition of groundbreaking

Browse Nearby Words

semimonthly

seminal

seminar

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“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of seminal

adjective

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