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paramount

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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
Adjective
Having a healthy Hernández for the weekend series will be of paramount importance for L.A. More news: Blockbuster Trade Ideas for Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs to Fix Biggest Weaknesses For more MLB news, head over to Newsweek Sports. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025 The lockdowns demonstrated how far the CCP can push hardship on its people without destabilizing social control—its paramount concern. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025 Although safety precautions should be paramount for skywatchers venturing into the great outdoors. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 May 2025 Versatility and the ability to have the same personnel in different formations were paramount. Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for paramount
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount
Adjective
  • Two main issues are conveyed: No credible debt management approach exists.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • His backtracking was not handled with utmost finesse, but this was the right outcome.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
  • Your relationship to yourself is also of the utmost importance, says Dr. Joseph.
    Jess Cording, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The company continues to offer Google One subscription tiers for file storage, but without most AI features, at lower prices.
    Kenrick Cai, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Like most of Musk’s companies, xAI doesn’t typically respond to reporters’ requests for comment and had remained silent on the matter until its post late Thursday.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians.
    Letters to the Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020
  • Under the unconditional patronage of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov rules his republic as a totalitarian, and has done so since taking power in May 2004, after his father, then President Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated.
    Layla Taimienova, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2017
Noun
  • 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
  • But in his mid-80s, King George ponders whether to abdicate and devote his remaining days to finding female companionship (the aging potentate remains potent with the help of Viagra and similar pharmaceuticals).
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Mark Morgan, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Cruise emerged as Hollywood's foremost advocate for the theatrical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters across the globe were staring down an uncertain future.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • There will be protests and lawsuits, but several brands ― from the old and historic to new and quixotic ― need to go, for the ultimate good of the automaker’s shareholders, workers and dealers.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Mining For Contention Nuggets are at a crossroads this summer Nikola Jokić is the ultimate cologne.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • John Oliver didn’t disappoint his corporate overlords Sunday night by addressing the recent HBO Max name reversal — the latest in a series of changes for the streaming service.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • Hitting the NBCUniversal upfront stage on Monday morning, Meyers gave a strong monologue tweaking his corporate overlords — and one joke at the very end elicited the biggest laughs (and gasps!) from the audience.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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