supreme

adjective

su·​preme sə-ˈprēm 

sü-

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

In that house Lady Fawn reigned supreme, and no one ever doubted, for a moment, as to obedience.

—Anthony Trollope

On the runways, glitter and gorgeousness ruled supreme …

—Liza Foreman

see also supreme being

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

3

: characterized by highest excellence or achievement : outstanding entry 1

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

4

a

: ultimate, final

soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice

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

supremely adverb

a supremely [=extremely] confident performer/player

supremely important ideas

supremeness noun

Synonyms of supreme

• chief
• presiding
• commanding
• foremost
• top
• primary
• leading
• high
• lead
• principal
• senior

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

Ronaldo’s supreme talent also led his country to its first major silverware at the 2016 European Championships, and followed it up by helping the Seleção to victory in the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

The United States and Israel assassinated Iran’s leadership, including the supreme leader and much of his family, yet the regime remains intact. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

There’s been a supreme lack of chemistry on this show as of late, especially with the Russell parents fighting. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026

Knowing God’s sweet, supreme control over each one of us and the whole universe opens opportunities for healing. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin supremus, superlative of superus upper — more at superior

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supreme

• made the final/supreme/ultimate sacrifice
• make the final/supreme/ultimate sacrifice
• reign supreme
• supreme court

Rhymes for supreme

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• mainstream

Kids 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"