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

Example Sentences

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
Fostering the growth of both the surgical expertise and the person as a whole is paramount. Patrick Skerrett, STAT, 3 Mar. 2023 Nurses caring for those with faint heart or lung sounds can't afford to miss anything, so sound quality is paramount. Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2023 Speaking to beauty and personal-care brands across the industry, the embracing consensus is that user safety and shelf stability are paramount. Liz Leavitt, refinery29.com, 1 Mar. 2023 In a recent interview with Fortune, ENS’s lead developer expressed reservations about its rival’s decision to acquire intellectual property in a field where open-source values are paramount. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 22 Feb. 2023 Yet Nuiqsut Mayor Rosemary Ahtuangaruak fervently opposes the project and said her fears that the project will threaten subsistence hunting and her community’s health are paramount. Riley Rogerson, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Feb. 2023 Consistency Is Key In order to live life in a way that is aligned with your intentions, remaining consistent in the pursuit of your goals is paramount. Karina Michel Feld, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023 Despite his illustrious resume, recent results are paramount. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Feb. 2023 Page said that the right to strike is paramount to unions’ ability to convince public employers to bargain in good faith. Sonel Cutler, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paramount.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Dictionary Entries Near paramount

Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paramount. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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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