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View synonyms for prerogative

prerogative

[ pri-rog-uh-tiv, puh-rog- ]

noun

  1. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like:

    the prerogatives of a senator.

  2. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category:

    It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.

  3. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative:

    The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.

  4. Obsolete. precedence.


adjective

  1. having or exercising a prerogative.
  2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or existing by virtue of a prerogative.

prerogative

/ prɪˈrɒɡətɪv /

noun

  1. an exclusive privilege or right exercised by a person or group of people holding a particular office or hereditary rank
  2. any privilege or right
  3. a power, privilege, or immunity restricted to a sovereign or sovereign government
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. having or able to exercise a prerogative
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prerogative1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin praerogātīvus (adjective) “voting first,” praerogātīva (noun use of feminine of adjective) “tribe or century with right to vote first.” See pre-, interrogative
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prerogative1

C14: from Latin praerogātīva privilege, earlier: group with the right to vote first, from prae before + rogāre to ask, beg for
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

There’s got to be a better way for the city to register community engagement, even while duly elected representatives retain their voting prerogative.

Competitive trail running, and, for that matter, the fevered pursuit of random FKTs, remains largely the prerogative of affluent amateurs with enough disposable income and time to spend their weekends endlessly gallivanting in the Marin Headlands.

As for which prerogative takes precedence, it’s a line we all have to draw somewhere and adjust daily.

From Time

The company’s “mission” is his prerogative, so long as he is in charge.

From Fortune

Promising to deliver on another reform, Lightfoot has worked to reduce the power of aldermen, such as by limiting their “prerogative” over matters large and small in their wards.

It is entirely the government's prerogative to accede to these requests or not.

That is our prerogative, but if we exercise it, we should have a little rule among ourselves.

It was an unusual step—a first, in fact—to involve the federal government in what had always been state prerogative.

“He is an adult and if he wants to disappear it is his prerogative,” French said.

Perhaps one constant, then, in Fiasco's life is that he reserves the prerogative to quit something once it no longer feels right.

But Mrs. Dodd, the present vicar's wife, retained the precious prerogative of choosing the book to be read at the monthly Dorcas.

If one man injures another, the prerogative of pardon should belong to the injured man.

He is not worshipped in any temple, having lost this prerogative on account of his ambitious desire to find out the Supreme Being.

Although it was a school of 250 boys, the sixth-form, with all their privileges, had no prerogative of authority.

The manner in which the question of the crown's prerogative arose in this case was explained by the lord-chancellor.

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prerequisiteprerogative court