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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
But with an apathetic fan base, securing donations for a capital project was a non-starter, especially when name, image and likeness funding is paramount toward recruiting and retaining quality athletes. Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 That could be paramount in avoiding a sentiment snafu à la Levi’s. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2025 Having such an edifice is paramount these days to compete in the NBA, especially in a smaller market. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2025 So a win against Memphis will be paramount if the Blazers want to go dancing. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paramount
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramount
Adjective
  • The 9a's main camera takes 12MP images thanks to pixel binning, and the resulting shots are nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro's.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Page > Sub-Page schema is of the utmost importance here.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • First impressions start before guests even walk through the front door, which means having your landscape shipshape is of the utmost importance.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • About the only surprise Friday night in the championship game of the Boras Classic South was La Mirada preventing Corona from tying a state record for most consecutive shutouts.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 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
  • The cover of the first issue of The New Yorker, dated Feb. 21, 1925, carried no portraits of potentates or tycoons, no headlines, no come-ons.
    Christopher B. Daly, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony?
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate romantic comedy.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When as natural as possible is your ultimate goal, Jergens is your bestie.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These are not our new robot overlords, but a pilot program in 35 citywide locations testing the new technology to keep closer tabs on inventory in real-time.
    Alexander Coolidge, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Showrunner Tony Gilroy highlighted the film’s scale and ordinary characters, from Imperial overlords to passionate revolutionaries, in a statement Monday.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Paramount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramount. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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