paramount
1 of 2adjective
par·a·mount ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt 
ˈpa-rə-
: superior to all others : supreme
a matter of paramount importance
Unemployment was the paramount issue in the election.
paramountcy
ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇n(t)-sē
noun ˈpa-rə-
paramountly
ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt-lē
adverb ˈpa-rə-
paramount
2 of 2noun
: a supreme ruler
Synonyms
Adjective
- arch
- big
- capital
- cardinal
- central
- chief
- dominant
- first
- foremost
- grand
- great
- greatest
- highest
- key
- leading
- main
- master
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- overbearing
- overmastering
- overriding
- predominant
- preeminent
- premier
- primal
- primary
- principal
- prior
- sovereign
- sovran
- supreme
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective the paramount goal is to restore the colonial-era house with complete historical accuracy maintaining the secrecy of the agreement is of paramount importance
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 But in this case theory is paramount, because science is staunchly against pre-exhaustion training for all of the wrong reasons. Men's Health, 12 Sep. 2022 For Nicotero, who worked with Lincoln from the very beginning of the original series, the importance of bringing the actor and character back to the franchise — and vice versa — is paramount, especially as the show that started it all says goodbye. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Preventing the crabs from reproducing in Hood Canal is paramount, Grason said, because currents here could pen in larvae. Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2022 Finding balance between family, work and school commitments are paramount. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 Sep. 2022 In terms of physical traits, size and speed were paramount. Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 In this almost-post-Covid era, cleanliness is important, and measures to keep areas sanitized were paramount. Marc Bona, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2022 Your and your baby’s emotional and physical health and safety is paramount. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
Miller and Thomas say that speed is paramount and can help employees make decisions faster. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 But in this case theory is paramount, because science is staunchly against pre-exhaustion training for all of the wrong reasons. Men's Health, 12 Sep. 2022 For Nicotero, who worked with Lincoln from the very beginning of the original series, the importance of bringing the actor and character back to the franchise — and vice versa — is paramount, especially as the show that started it all says goodbye. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Preventing the crabs from reproducing in Hood Canal is paramount, Grason said, because currents here could pen in larvae. Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2022 Finding balance between family, work and school commitments are paramount. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 Sep. 2022 In terms of physical traits, size and speed were paramount. Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 In this almost-post-Covid era, cleanliness is important, and measures to keep areas sanitized were paramount. Marc Bona, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2022 Your and your baby’s emotional and physical health and safety is paramount. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Anglo-French paramont, from par by (from Latin per) + amunt above, from a to (from Latin ad) + munt mountain — more at for, at, mount
First Known Use
Adjective
1530, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1616, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
paramount
adjective
par·a·mount ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt
: highest in importance or greatness
The children's safety is paramount.
Geographical Definition
Paramount
geographical name
Par·a·mount ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt
ˈpa-rə-
city in southwestern California north of Long Beach population 54,098
paramounts
noun
as in monocrats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- monocrats
- Big Brothers
- führers
- autarchs
- fuehrers
- potentates
- totalitarians
- autocrats
- tyrannizers
- overlords
- authoritarians
- pharaohs
- caudillos
- warlords
- dictators
- oppressors
- tyrants
- despots
- rulers
- sovrans
- kings
- bosses
- princes
- strongmen
- overlords
- dominators
- leaders
- chiefs
- caesars
- masters
- sovereigns
- discipliners
- lords
- barons
- queens
- kingpins
- moguls
- tycoons
- monarchs
- magnates
- czars
- captains
- martinets
- enforcers
- taskmasters
- disciplinarians
- tsars
- tzars