Paramount
As an Adjective
- More important than anything else; having supreme significance.
- Holding the highest position in rank, authority, or power.
- Superior in impact, influence, or priority.
As Other Form
- Paramountcy (Noun): The state of being paramount or having supreme importance.
Word History
The word paramount comes from the Anglo-French paramont, meaning “above” or “superior,” formed from par (by) and amont (above, uphill). It was originally used in legal and political contexts to indicate supreme authority before evolving into a general term for importance and priority.
Examples
- Safety is of paramount importance in this experiment.
- The company’s paramount goal is customer satisfaction.
- The judge’s ruling was paramount in determining the case’s outcome.
Synonyms
Supreme, foremost, principal, crucial, dominant
Related Words
Vital, essential, superior, overriding
Antonyms
Insignificant, minor, secondary, trivial
