paramount

1 of 2

adjective

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 

ˈpa-rə-

noun

paramountly

ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt-lē 

ˈpa-rə-

adverb

paramount

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Choose the Right Synonym for paramount

dominant, predominant, paramount, preponderant mean superior to all others in influence or importance.

dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Examples of paramount in a Sentence

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

Adjective

In an industry where counterfeit goods are a constant concern, his expertise is paramount. —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

The children retaining a strong Jewish identity was paramount for Jen Rogers because of her own family history — three of her grandparents fled Nazi Germany. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024

This pilot program is critical because studies show that the first 1,000 days of a newborn’s life are paramount to their development and set a pivotal foundation for the rest of their lives. —Crystal Hudson, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024

Family time is paramount at this stage of his life – and season. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024

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

ˈpar-ə-ˌmau̇nt

: superior to all others : supreme

of paramount importance

Geographical Definition

Paramount

geographical name

Par·​a·​mount ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt 

ˈpa-rə-

city in southwestern California north of Long Beach population 54,098