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paramount

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word paramount different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of paramount are dominant, predominant, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When is dominant a more appropriate choice than paramount?

The meanings of dominant and paramount largely overlap; however, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

Where would predominant be a reasonable alternative to paramount?

While in some cases nearly identical to paramount, predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When might preponderant be a better fit than paramount?

The synonyms preponderant and paramount are sometimes interchangeable, but preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paramount
Noun
But Morrison is also swimming against the realities of business and culture, where sales and profit are paramount, and many believe there isn’t a sufficient audience for books by Black authors that don’t have obvious appeal to white readers. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025 With temperatures expected to approach 90 degrees and the threat of rain, planning is paramount. Dan Kelly july 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025 Slow down and stay cautious: On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 July 2025 Whether a victim is seeking resolution or a defendant facing charges, understanding legal rights is paramount. Daniel Fusch, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for paramount
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount
Adjective
  • The Michigan woman’s family told PEOPLE that one particular food — the potato — is a main contributing factor to her living a long life.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically motivated attack.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • The strategy is critically needed, and is of utmost urgency in Central Florida, which saw 439 fatal childhood drownings over the past 15 years (2009-2024) — the most recorded in any of the state’s six regions, according to Florida DCF.
    Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025
  • Just like with physical health, these results are treated with the utmost transparency.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • In most of his tenure with the Jets, Hall has been the No. 1 running back.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
  • Bringing in a guard who can make that kind of an impact would be of interest to most teams around the NBA.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • His personal goal was surely the vanity of wanting to have never been wrong and the superpower of always being right—George Orwell speaks of the theological nature of totalitarians, who must constantly alter the past to claim to be always right in the present.
    Rebecca Solnit April 29, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2021
  • Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians.
    Letters to the Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020
Noun
  • Why don’t all the rich potentates, sheiks, oligarchs and MAGA dictators meet and fix it?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • With the pandemic, the year-round population of a once-seasonal resort town swelled with Manhattan refugees, those in the Trump orbit, and tech and finance potentates, many of them serious collectors like Ken Griffin and Steve Ross.
    Ben Widdicombe, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Paul, a foremost Republican critic against Trump’s tariff policy, said the latest tariff, which Trump said would go into effect Aug. 1, could lead to a slippery slope that harms the U.S.’s economic standing and Wall Street.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The ultimate surprise came when the incomparable Patti LaBelle joined the festivities.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • For all concerned, this is the ultimate pro-wrestling high.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Now the ultimate challenge is here, and the stakes couldn't be higher because if the fighters from Earth aren't victorious, Outworld overlord Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) will invade and take over the planet.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • As for what happens after that, well, the overlords at HBO have requested that reviews be spoiler-free.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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