Paramount
adjective /ˈpær.ə.maʊnt/ — Of supreme importance or authority
Definition
More important than anything else; supreme — used to indicate that something takes precedence over everything else in consideration or hierarchy.
Beyond the definition
The weight of the word that settles all other arguments. Paramount ends the conversation about priority.
Origin & history
From Old French 'par amount' — 'par' (by) + 'amont' (above). The person par amount was the one above all others in the feudal hierarchy.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Accuracy is paramount — everything else is secondary until that is right.
Her wellbeing was paramount to him, which meant he sometimes made decisions she didn't understand at the time.
When everything is paramount, nothing is. The word must be used sparingly to mean anything.
Synonyms
supreme, foremost, preeminent, primary, highest
Antonyms
secondary, minor, negligible, subordinate
Related words
- preeminent
- authoritative
- essential
- pivotal
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Holding a single important document
An adult stands in a grand, silent, wood-paneled courtroom, holding a single document with formal, serious commitment.
The document the adult holds is paramount; it takes precedence over everything else in the silent, serious environment of the court. Its importance dictates the entire weight of the legal proceeding, signifying that it must be the central focus of consideration.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration