paramount 1 of 2

paramount

2 of 2

noun

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
Noun
His ability to anchor the rotation — which also includes Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron and others — will be paramount in helping KC return to the postseason. Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025 With group meals and general closeness, personal hygiene is paramount. John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025 No matter what happens, safety is always paramount. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paramount
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount
Adjective
  • Greek Yogurt Has More Protein If your main goal is to include more protein in your diet, consider breakfasts featuring Greek yogurt.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The safety and satisfaction of our customers remain our utmost concern.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • For these reasons, a reputable company with ethical and safe sourcing is of utmost importance.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Entertainment Weekly can exclusively report that the former Big Brother winner, who came back to compete this summer on season 27 of the competition franchise, will also be making a triumphant return to her other TV home away from home!
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Who won part 3 of the final Head of Household competition on 'Big Brother'?
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For mono pages, most also have lower per-page costs than lasers, giving ink tank technology a strong edge for cost per page.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The water system is in most urgent need of financial help, according to the IBA, largely due to the rising costs of buying water from the San Diego County Water Authority and the lack of regular rate hikes prior to 2023.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
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
  • But that would not address the fundamental goal of the protests: to end the totalitarian stranglehold that has subjected the Cubans to an unbearable serfdom.
    Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
Adjective
  • They are denoted with an asterisk in the minimum and maximum tuition columns.
    Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Each of the counts holds a maximum sentence of 10 years, or 20 years total possible prison time.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Why don’t all the rich potentates, sheiks, oligarchs and MAGA dictators meet and fix it?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • With the pandemic, the year-round population of a once-seasonal resort town swelled with Manhattan refugees, those in the Trump orbit, and tech and finance potentates, many of them serious collectors like Ken Griffin and Steve Ross.
    Ben Widdicombe, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on paramount

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!