seminal

adjective

Definition of seminalnext
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 landmark anniversary of Winehouse’s seminal second album Back to Black will be celebrated with a deluxe reissue, which was announced last month. — Nick Reilly, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 His hire would turn out to be a seminal moment in the history of Trojan football. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Clark Kent, as well as Irv Gotti, were seminal figures in this Roc-A-Fella story. — Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The result would turn up more than 20 years later as On the Origin of Species, Darwin’s seminal work explaining the theory of evolution through natural selection. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 14, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seminal
  1. influential
  2. historic
  3. important
  4. authoritative
  5. critical
  6. major
  7. groundbreaking
Adjective
  • Medellín is also home to influential streetwear brands inspired by the city’s reggaeton culture.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Anarchism was unequivocally a powerful organizing force in Italian communities and an influential force in labor politics.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • America was shoddy caulk oozing from a vinyl arc in a historic heatwave.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of historic
Adjective
  • While a push east for Marib would get the Houthis the most resources, a southern push appears to be more strategically important for the time being.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The underlying transactions have to be organized and labeled so the system can tell what’s authoritative and what’s just a reference point.
    — Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritative
Adjective
  • Accessibility At 900 feet high, accessibility played a critical role in the project.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Washington has placed greater emphasis on producing critical weapons at higher rates.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • Wildfires encroached on major European cities, a once unthinkable threat.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The groundbreaking event was attended by Tang and Hsu-Tang and the Met’s modern and contemporary art curator David Breslin, director and CEO Max Hollein, and head of capital projects Brett Gallard.
    — Leigh Anne Miller for ARTnews, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Yedvab said most groundbreaking technologies benefitting humanity have been made by for-profit companies, albeit often building on academic research.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of groundbreaking

Browse Nearby Words

semimonthly
seminal
seminar
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Cite this Entry

“Seminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seminal. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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