paramount

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

: a supreme ruler

paramountcy

3 of 3

noun (2)

par·​a·​mount·​cy -n(t)sē 

-si

plural -es

: the quality or state of being paramount

Synonyms of paramount

Adjective

• main
• greatest
• foremost
• highest
• primary
• predominant
• dominant
• key
• big
• supreme
• first
• leading

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

Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

In the case of these earrings, restraint was paramount. —Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026

Technical excellence is paramount, but so is the ability to take risks, learn from your mistakes and work at the edge and intersections of disciplines to transform ideas into knowledge and action. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026

Health and safety are paramount, with 911 calls mandated for emergencies. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun (1)

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 (1)

1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paramount

• rediscount
• subaccount
• tantamount
• undercount
• account
• amount
• discount
• dismount
• recount
• remount
• seamount
• surmount

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