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

No government or entity has ever managed to hold both military and political supremacy over the entire territory of Yemen in modern history. — Mahad D. Darar, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

His prayerful recognition of God’s supremacy and government of the universe refreshed his heart and lifted his thought above the human fears and limitations that plague an illusory, material sense of existence. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

Its chief rival for supremacy on the sport’s second tier, the American, is 1-8 against the power leagues, with Tulsa’s victory over Oklahoma State as the lone victory. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026

The answer is not that federal supremacy gives federal agents unlimited authority. — Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 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