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

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

Considered the foremost institution for Asian art in the United States, this additional space will give the museum more room to display roughly 4,000 historic and contemporary works from its more than 21,000-piece collection of Asian artists. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Seeing the internet’s foremost disciple of glow meet the internet’s foremost purveyor of good lighting, though, feels quite satisfying—who else needs another excuse to update that Sephora cart? — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026

Powell is one of the foremost authorities on Wilson’s rookie-season trajectory. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026