priority
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for priority, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something regarded as more important than other things, and dealt with first.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use priority
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French priorite, ultimately from Latin priōritās, built on prior ("earlier").
Full origin of priority →Frequently asked questions
What does “priority” mean?
The word “priority” means something regarded as more important than other things, and dealt with first. In plain terms, the thing that matters most and gets attention first, or the right to go first.
How do you pronounce “priority”?
“Priority” is pronounced preye-O-rih-tee (/pɹaɪˈoɹəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “priority” in a sentence?
Here is “priority” used in a sentence: “Safety is our top priority on every job site.”
What is another word for “priority”?
Words with a similar meaning to “priority” include anteriority.
What is the opposite of “priority”?
The opposite of “priority” — its antonyms — is disfocus.
What part of speech is “priority”?
“Priority” is a noun.
Where does the word “priority” come from?
The word “priority” comes from Latin. From Old French priorite, ultimately from Latin priōritās, built on prior ("earlier").
Is “priority” a common word?
“Priority” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is an example of a priority?
A priority is whatever you place first because it matters most. For instance, a parent might make a child's safety their top priority, or a company might treat customer service as a priority over cost-cutting. Saying something is a priority means it will be handled before less important tasks and given greater attention and resources.
What does it mean to prioritize?
To prioritize is to arrange tasks or goals in order of importance so the most pressing ones are dealt with first. It involves deciding what deserves attention now and what can wait. Good prioritizing separates the urgent and important from the trivial, helping people and organisations use limited time and resources where they count most.
What is the opposite of a priority?
The opposite of a priority is something minor, secondary, or non-essential, an item that can wait or be set aside. Where a priority demands immediate attention, a low-priority or back-burner task carries little urgency. Words like afterthought, triviality, or secondary concern capture the idea of something ranked below what truly matters.
Why is setting priorities important?
Setting priorities keeps limited time, energy, and money focused on what matters most. Without them, effort scatters across trivial tasks and important goals slip. Clear priorities reduce stress, speed up decisions, and improve results by ensuring the biggest or most urgent needs are handled first rather than lost among lesser demands.