supremacy
noun
su·prem·a·cy
sə-ˈpre-mə-sē 
sü-
also -ˈprē-
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
especially
: a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
military/naval supremacy
In the 20th century, two completely different models of how to run an economy battled for supremacy. —
Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben Natal's well-watered valleys … became by the end of the 18th century the site of a contest for supremacy … —Noel Mostert
Noel Mostert Every high school boasts its elite squad of lookers: sparkling teeth, merciless anatomy, sunny filaments of hair … . Between classes, they parade down the halls, trooping their supremacies like Clydesdales. —Richard Lacayo
Richard Lacayo 2
: ultimate authority or power
belief in the supremacy of God
Synonyms of supremacy
Examples of supremacy in a Sentence
the Roman empire had supremacy over the entire Mediterranean world
the supremacy of cashmere among wools accounts for its high price
Recent Examples on the Web
Pastor-Rivera said Cota had ample opportunity to apologize and call out White supremacy, but his lack of apology shows where his values align.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Caldwell emerged as a quality lineman in his rookie season, but there remain questions about the Chargers’ defensive front as Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh continue their quest to establish supremacy in the trenches with a physical style of play that makes the team tough to play against.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Last year halted a stretch of American League West supremacy, with the Houston Astros failing to win the division in a full-length season for the first time since 2016.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 Feb. 2026
Generally, the federal government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates often referred to as the supremacy clause.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supremacy
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Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Caldwell emerged as a quality lineman in his rookie season, but there remain questions about the Chargers’ defensive front as Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh continue their quest to establish supremacy in the trenches with a physical style of play that makes the team tough to play against.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Last year halted a stretch of American League West supremacy, with the Houston Astros failing to win the division in a full-length season for the first time since 2016.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 Feb. 2026
Generally, the federal government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates often referred to as the supremacy clause.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supremacy
Cite this Entry
“Supremacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supremacy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
supremacy
noun
su·prem·a·cy
sə-ˈprem-ə-sē
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
2
: supreme authority or power
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