PARAMOUNT Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'paramount' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of paramount are dominant , predominant , and preponderant . While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction. // unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

Q: When is 'dominant' a more appropriate choice than 'paramount'?

The meanings of dominant and paramount largely overlap; however, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling. // a dominant social class

Q: Where would 'predominant' be a reasonable alternative to 'paramount'?

While in some cases nearly identical to paramount , predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence. // a predominant emotion

Q: When might 'preponderant' be a better fit than 'paramount'?

The synonyms preponderant and paramount are sometimes interchangeable, but preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect. // preponderant evidence in her favor

paramount 1 of 2

adjective

ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt

Definition of paramount

as in main

coming before all others in importance the paramount goal is to restore the colonial-era house with complete historical accuracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utmost

of the greatest or highest degree or quantity maintaining the secrecy of the agreement is of paramount importance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

paramount

2 of 2

noun

as in Big Brother

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word paramount different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of paramount are dominant, predominant, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When is dominant a more appropriate choice than paramount?

The meanings of dominant and paramount largely overlap; however, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

Where would predominant be a reasonable alternative to paramount?

While in some cases nearly identical to paramount, predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When might preponderant be a better fit than paramount?

The synonyms preponderant and paramount are sometimes interchangeable, but preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of paramount

Adjective

In a macro environment where capital discipline is paramount, and execution speed defines survival, executive teams are under intense pressure to approve high-stakes strategic shifts. — Susana Cabrera, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 While the convenience and historical significance of the venues were paramount, the spaces offered additional benefits. — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 So voluntary protection and restoration of habitat by landowners has been paramount. — Ted Williams, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2026 Pezeshkian is seeking further audiences with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping, both of whom are attending the summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paramount

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount

Adjective

The delay again has created a potential cash crunch for districts during the wait for their cut — often a main revenue source for local governments — and added to the pile of complaints about the county’s decade-long property tax system upgrade.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
This sandwich gives main character energy, but don’t skip over the other items available at BoJaynes, from specialty spices to wraps.

— Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of main

Noun

Check out Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves having to get tough with the houseguests on live TV!

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026
By a vote of 2 to 1, Yash was the twelfth houseguest evicted from Big Brother Season 28 and became the fourth jury member.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of Big Brother

Adjective

Making the roster more functional will be the foremost objective for whomever Crane chooses to replace Brown.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
One of the two candidates for president, one of the country’s foremost politicians, was expressly lumping together a sizable American ethnic minority with external enemies.

— Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Cazares begins most days at sunrise and works construction or as a day laborer throughout the city and suburbs.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Mensah started the game with 24 consecutive completions, setting an ACC and Miami program record for most consecutive completions in a game.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of most

Noun

But, ten years later, his embrace of near-totalitarian control bears the deep imprint of his most personal beliefs about force, weakness, faith, and order.

— Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2022
Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians.

— Letters to the Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020

Definition of totalitarian

Adjective

In 2008, a San Francisco court denied Stone's attempt to alter the custody arrangement which listed Bronstein's San Francisco home as Roan's primary residence, with Stone getting visitation rights.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Even with Oracle founder Larry Ellison the primary backer of his son’s ParaBros dreams, the even older Ellison’s net worth, which has been declining of late, may not be able to handle the strain of months and months of such probes.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

The National Hurricane Center said Sunday that Odalys’ center was about 1,345 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
The finished expedition vehicle reportedly has a maximum weight of about 34,170 pounds.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of maximum

Browse Nearby Words

paramilitary

paramount

paramountcy

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Style

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of paramount

adjective

noun

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