preeminence vs. prominence
辨析:前者是“卓尔不凡”,历史上往往用来指代基督无可比拟的神性,所以除开偶尔被用来形容超级大国在世界上的状况,在现代语境里基本不出现。后者是“突出地位”,这个相对而言要常见很多,往往在上下文里形容一种势力或团体在某个时间段内逐渐变得声势显赫了。
例句:
The United States' economic preeminence can not be seriously threatened.
Turin rose to prominence in the 16th century, under the rule of the Savoy Royal family.