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 former is one of the world's foremost entertainment capitals, and the latter has a starving fan base and state-of-the-art venue in Climate Pledge Arena. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

These heirlooms, known as tekemets, reflected the full spectrum of steppe values, depicting sacral elements such as koshkar muiz (‘ram horns’ in Kazakh), the foremost symbol of wealth, abundance, and fertility. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026

If aesthetics is the foremost priority, Lulu and Georgia offers office furniture that would look more at home in an interior design studio than a corporate high-rise. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026