1
: highest in rank or authority
the supreme commander
especially
: in a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
the nation's supreme leader
This Constitution … shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. —
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Constitution In that house Lady Fawn reigned supreme, and no one ever doubted, for a moment, as to obedience. —Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope On the runways, glitter and gorgeousness ruled supreme … —Liza Foreman
see also supreme being
Liza Foreman 2
: greatest in degree, quality, or intensity
supreme satisfaction/pleasure/indifference
His was the perfect poise, the supreme confidence in self, which nothing could shake …—Jack London
Jack London3
: characterized by highest excellence or achievement : outstanding
supreme among musicians
a supreme athlete
… does not a supreme poet blend light and sound into one, calling darkness mute, and light eloquent?—George Eliot
George Eliot4
b
: of utmost importance : crucial
… I knew exactly what I wanted to do as an adult. I would study dinosaurs, a firm conviction inspired by one supreme moment of childhood terror dissipated by fascination—my first look at Tyrannosaurus rex in the American Museum of Natural History.—Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould
supremely
adverb
a supremely [=extremely] confident performer/player
supremely important ideas
supremeness
noun
Examples of supreme in a Sentence
The board has supreme authority over such issues.
She has an air of supreme confidence about her.
the supreme example of what not to do
a problem of supreme importance
It's a matter of supreme indifference to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Iran has so far shown no sign of capitulating to the American-Israeli assault, despite the killings of its supreme leader and other senior officials.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
After a referendum, Iran became a constitutional republic, with universal suffrage, a president and a parliament, but one wrapped in a theocracy; ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father, Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader after the ayatollah was killed at the start of the war.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Airstrikes have also killed its supreme leader, the head of its Supreme National Security Council and a raft of other top-ranking military and political leaders.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supreme
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Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
After a referendum, Iran became a constitutional republic, with universal suffrage, a president and a parliament, but one wrapped in a theocracy; ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father, Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader after the ayatollah was killed at the start of the war.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Airstrikes have also killed its supreme leader, the head of its Supreme National Security Council and a raft of other top-ranking military and political leaders.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supreme
Cite this Entry
“Supreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supreme. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
supreme
adjective
su·preme
sə-ˈprēm 
sü-
1
: highest in rank or authority
2
: highest in degree or quality
3
: greatest in degree
giving one's life is the supreme sacrifice
supremely
adverb
supremeness
noun
Etymology
from Latin supremus, a form of superus "upper," from super "over, above"
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