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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Recent Examples of seminal
Two years later, Jenkins teamed up with former Beat-Down music editor and TV producer Elliott Wilson to found the seminal hip-hop and skateboarding magazine Ego Trip.
—
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 25 May 2025
Legal shows often focus on police and prosecutors, but there was one seminal TV pioneer that put the defense team in the spotlight: Perry Mason.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 May 2025
Some may have been part of the most consequential and seminal cases and legal trends in recent years.
—Liane Jackson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
After decades of being a seminal part of the area dining scene, the Praplans passed the torch to their children, who continue their parents’ tradition of serving mouthwatering, authentic dishes in a charming, relaxed atmosphere.
—AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 25 May 2025
Legal shows often focus on police and prosecutors, but there was one seminal TV pioneer that put the defense team in the spotlight: Perry Mason.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 May 2025
Some may have been part of the most consequential and seminal cases and legal trends in recent years.
—Liane Jackson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
After decades of being a seminal part of the area dining scene, the Praplans passed the torch to their children, who continue their parents’ tradition of serving mouthwatering, authentic dishes in a charming, relaxed atmosphere.
—AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
Adjective
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Giorgio’s death served to protect larger interests, such as contracts and political relationships between the city’s influential families.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
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However, the attributes that make someone truly effective in a comms leadership role are often less flashy, and far more influential, than many people may realize.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Your town may have a trash pickup walk, a Thanksgiving turkey trot or a stroll to historic sites.—
Elizabeth Passarella,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Congress passed the historic bank bailout during her first semester.—
Megan Greenwell,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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An important first step is choosing plants that prefer the growing conditions present in your garden, like shade versus sun, for starters.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
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Trump stressed the deal would maintain American control of the storied company, which is seen as both a political symbol and an important matter for the country’s supply chain, industries like auto manufacturing and national security.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Sharing these private details will be challenging, since authoritative Saturn and confusing Neptune will corner the sun over the next few days.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
27 May 2025
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One 2022 study found that children raised with an authoritative parenting style were more likely to achieve academically.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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But at locations now facing critical shortages, staffing overnight shifts on a routine basis is no longer possible.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
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But expert groups were more critical of the proposal.—
Katherine Dillinger,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Catch Up On The Story Chelsea can become the first club to win all four major UEFA trophies – but who else could complete the set?—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Rio has also been consolidating itself as one of the most filmed cities in the world, surpassing major cinematic destinations such as Paris and Mexico City.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Historical sites include the Hudson River piers and neighborhood nightclubs that defined a groundbreaking era in LBTQ+history. Free.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
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His groundbreaking television series, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, defined an entire generation of idiosyncratic children like myself.—
Matt Wolf,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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