Synonyms of foremost

foremost

adjective

ˈfȯr-ˌmōst 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

Albert Einstein is regarded by many as the foremost figure of the 20th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• first
• predominant
• dominant
• big
• leading
• chief
• principal
• key
• supreme
• paramount
• central
• premier
• cardinal
• overriding
• great
• prior
• sovereign
• preeminent
• master
• primal
• capital
• distinguished
• top
• major
• overbearing
• number one
• important
• outstanding
• notable
• grand
• eminent
• noteworthy
• overmastering
• illustrious
• senior
• prestigious
• numero uno
• arch
• influential
• high-level
• superior
• stellar
• signal
• noble
• star
• renowned
• mighty
• momentous
• celebrated
• famous
• significant
• unparalleled
• incomparable
• famed
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• secondary
• unimportant
• trivial
• insignificant
• negligible
• slight
• subordinate
• inferior
• inconsequential
• collateral
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• subsidiary

2

as in chief

highest in rank or authority

wanted to speak to the foremost supervisor in our department

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chief
• presiding
• first
• supreme
• commanding
• top
• primary
• leading
• principal
• lead
• senior
• high
• prime
• premier
• head
• main
• in charge
• preeminent
• supereminent
• major
• paramount
• predominant
• high-level
• managing
• dominant
• reigning
• controlling
• overseeing
• supervisory
• sovereign
• uppermost
• predominate
• topmost
• ruling
• directing
• upper
• superior
• officiating
• regnant
• upmost
• ascendant
• grand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• last
• secondary
• less
• lower
• subordinate
• lesser
• ancillary
• subsidiary
• lowly
• inferior
• assistant
• assisting
• junior
• deputy
• under
• coadjutor

3

as in first

coming before all others in time or order

when the foremost person in line tripped, everyone had to stop

Synonyms & Similar Words

• first
• initial
• earliest
• original
• inaugural
• maiden
• pioneer
• premier
• previous
• early
• primary
• headmost
• prime
• leadoff
• virgin
• primordial
• primeval
• primal
• ancient
• preceding
• antecedent
• primitive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• latter
• final
• ultimate
• latest
• terminal
• late
• following
• advanced
• subsequent
• succeeding
• terminating
• consequent
• ensuing
• penultimate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foremost

The Move to Manchester The TV Festival’s impending move to Manchester was one of the foremost topics of conversation at this year’s edition. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan, two of the foremost scholars of American public administration, have identified three key types of administrative costs the government imposes on citizens. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Helen Morales, a cultural critic at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is considered a foremost expert on Parton's life and career. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously. — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026