preeminence

noun

pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈe-mə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being preeminent : superiority

Synonyms

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of preeminence in a Sentence

the restaurant is known for the preeminence of its seafood dishes

some historians contended that no nation had attained such undisputed preeminence since the glory days of the Roman Empire

Recent Examples on the Web

The war on terror after 2001 further eroded internationalism, with the United States using its preeminence to coerce, cajole, or flatter nations into joining its military campaigns, with little consideration for how Washington’s actions would damage U.S. relations with the non-Western world. —Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025

After the Trump administration revoked California’s permission to set its own emission limits on car exhaust — which comes from an Environmental Protection Agency waiver of the federal law’s preeminence over state rules — California sued. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025

Its energy dominance is driven in part by strong innovation in areas such as advanced fracking and horizontal drilling, and the United States uses its preeminence to shape global energy markets and strengthen its geopolitical leverage. —Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

To other attorneys who ply their trade in these courtrooms, the preeminence of Willis was simply a fact. —Mya Frazier, Harper's Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preeminence

• eminence
• remanence

Kids Definition

preeminence

noun

pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈem-ə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being preeminent