first among equals
Leader among peers
First among equals describes someone who holds nominal leadership over a group of peers without having real authority over them.
The phrase translates the Latin *primus inter pares* and often applies to positions where one person chairs or represents equals: The prime minister is first among equals in the cabinet.
The term can be used ironically when the "equality" is nominal and the leader actually dominates.
- number oneFirst in rank
- higher-upSuperior in rank
- senior partnerHighest-ranking firm member
- egalitarianEquality principle supporter
- power sharingDistributing authority among groups
leader · team captain · managing director · board chair · patriarch · chairperson · head of state · cooperative · colleague · peer · moderator · episcopacy · facilitator · archbishop · spokesperson · chief justice · apostolic authority · prime minister
first among equalsdictator
Ruler with total control
absolute monarch · autocrat · tyrant · despot · supreme leader
first among equalssubordinate
One lower in rank
underling · lowest of the low · rank and file · follower · junior member
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