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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

Examples 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
Adjective
Structure, guidelines, executing the plan — all of these things are paramount this week. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 Alongside such structural changes, education around critical thinking is paramount. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 How to Choose Base Layers Comfort is paramount when purchasing base layers. Nathan Pipenberg, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024 This could be crucial in sectors like healthcare or finance, where ethical considerations are paramount. Bhaskar Gangipamula, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paramount 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount
Adjective
  • The zinc gradually lost its hold on the cables suspending the telescope’s main platform over the reflector dish.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The measure’s main opponents, the state Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, did not appear to raise any money to campaign against the proposition.
    Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Years after dazzling in primetime by covering herself in fake blood, Gaga had graced the Oscars stage with utmost elegance, capable of evolving her talents and becoming a stately pop spokeswoman.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Collaborating with artists on her pieces is also of the utmost importance to her to serve as a voice for Africa.
    Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • If the question is asked in a friendly way, most people will answer in the same vein.
    Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Given the runup in home prices since 2013, most sellers should have enough equity to cover replacement costs by deducting those from the sales price.
    Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians.
    Letters to the Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020
  • Under the unconditional patronage of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov rules his republic as a totalitarian, and has done so since taking power in May 2004, after his father, then President Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated.
    Layla Taimienova, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2017
Noun
  • A number of sports potentates will be making the Idaho scene, at a moment when tens of billions of dollars are changing hands in pursuit of ever-valuable rights.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 July 2024
  • By cracking the whip on local potentates, the party bolsters its already substantial public support and reinforces the power of central institutions.
    Dali Yang, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2017
Adjective
  • Over the years, the emirate has become a magnet for international entrepreneurs, investors and family offices, transforming the city into one of the world’s foremost hubs for private wealth management.
    Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The Academy Library, also known as the Margaret Herrick Library, is one of the world’s foremost research facilities for motion picture preservation and study, with more than 52 million items, including books, photographs, scripts and costume design drawings.
    Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Brownlee also competed for Team USA in ultimate frisbee at the 2024 World Ultimate Championships.
    Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Several of them pointed to his lack of follow-through on jailing his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton, while others say his ultimate retribution would be a successful term in office with a solid economy.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Maggie setting Marge on fire to stop her mom from chopping her into pieces with a kitchen knife is more subversive — and upsetting — than any Disney-era dig from The Simpsons at its corporate overlords.
    Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Many of these sexagenarians have built empires from the ground up, guided their companies through mergers, spinoffs and acquisitions, and have skillfully steered their workforces through an ever-revolving series of corporate overlords.
    Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near paramount

Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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