paramount

1 of 2

adjective

par·​a·​mount ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt How to pronounce paramount (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
: superior to all others : supreme
a matter of paramount importance
Unemployment was the paramount issue in the election.
paramountcy noun
paramountly adverb

paramount

2 of 2

noun

: a supreme ruler
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
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Adjective
How the Dolphins grow from such an awful performance will be paramount. Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Safety concerns are also paramount among expats, with political stability and personal freedom receiving the worst ratings in years. Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 Draft assets were flipped to acquire Adam Thielen because early production is paramount. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025 Fallon’s journey from delving into a space that requires cultural nuance to setting up a fund in a setting where values and stewardship are paramount revealed how adaptable her approach could be. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paramount

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of paramount was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paramount. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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 How to pronounce Paramount (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
city in southwestern California north of Long Beach population 54,098

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