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

Natal's well-watered valleys … became by the end of the 18th century the site of a contest for supremacy …

—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

2

: ultimate authority or power

belief in the supremacy of God

Synonyms of supremacy

• dominance
• domination
• dominion
• sovereignty

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

To make matters worse, the introduction of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card in mid-2016 posed a big threat to the supremacy of the Platinum Card, then sorely in need of a refresh. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 May 2026

The Southern Poverty Law Center stands accused of contributing millions of dollars to white-supremacy groups, including the KKK and Nazis. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026

Until 2022, there had been no challenge to the Tour’s supremacy and there was no incentive to innovate. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

The battle was fought during the Napoleonic Wars, as Britain attacked Denmark to break a neutral alliance with other European powers that threatened British naval supremacy. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

supreme + -acy (as in primacy)

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supremacy

• white supremacy

Kids 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