Skip to main content
paramount

paramount

45 6.7
More important than anything else
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɛrəmˌaʊnt/
translation icon : fundamental
  • Access to timely health care is paramount during a pandemic.
  • paramount importance
  • paramount concern
  • paramount goal

I'm just saying what I care about, what's paramount to me is liberty.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I want you to understand that my interest in Mr. Ross is of paramount importance.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Evidence questions are of paramount importance for both individuals and democratic citizens.

    Academic text (1999)
  • These talks with China are of paramount importance.

  • The security of information is paramount.

  • And ownership of the territory is of paramount importance to these guys.

  • It is of paramount importance that you do this.

  • The subject matter is of paramount importance and utmost interest.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Without a doubt, teacher retention and attrition issues are of paramount importance.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And above all else‚ I hold the well-being of our country paramount.

  • The safety of the children is of paramount importance to the school administration.

Synonyms

important
vsparamount
1.0

A person or thing that matters a lot

is much stronger, claiming the single highest importance and authority
main
vsparamount
1.0

Most important or central in a situation

goes beyond central to claim the single highest importance
key
vsparamount
2.0

Very important for something to work or succeed

is broader, applying as the top importance in any situation
chief
vsparamount
3.2

The main thing that matters most

is stronger, claiming superiority over all other matters
primary
vsparamount
2.5

Being most important or basic

is broader, meaning above everything else rather than simply first
critical
vsparamount
917 4.0

Very important at a dangerous or decisive moment

is less situational, meaning top importance in general terms
supreme
vsparamount
737 3.9

Highest in rank, quality, or importance

is about being most important in every situation rather than highest rank
central
vsparamount
528 2.1

Very important and needed for something to work

extends centrality to claim being more important than anything else
crucial
vsparamount
469 3.6

Very important for the success or result of something

is wider, claiming top importance across contexts rather than one result
principal
vsparamount
320 2.8

Most important person or thing in a situation

is broader, meaning the thing more important than anything else
foremost
vsparamount
122 4.2

Most important in a group or area

is broader, meaning above all others in authority and importance
pivotal
vsparamount
84 4.9

Very important for the success of something

is more general, meaning the highest importance beyond a single outcome
cardinal
vsparamount
  • Formal
29 5.0

Very important and basic to how something works

is more about being the single top priority above all others
all-important
vsparamount
24 4.0

Very necessary for a decision or success

means more than essential, being the single top importance overall
capital
vsparamount
  • Formal
22 4.0

More important than other things

is more absolute, meaning the most important in any case
predominant
vsparamount
20 4.8

More common or important than others in a group

claims ultimate importance rather than mere prevalence or noticeability
preeminent
vsparamount
17 8.0

The most respected and well known in a particular field

focuses more on being the one above all in importance
preponderant
vsparamount
1 8.7

Having more power or influence than others

is stronger, meaning the single highest importance overall
overriding
vsparamount
1 5.8

More important than anything else when making a decision

means being above everything else generally, not only in choices
uppermost
vsparamount
4.4

In the most important place in your mind

is stronger, meaning dominant in importance rather than just prominent
superordinate
vsparamount
  • Formal
8.4

Higher in rank within a group or system

is less about rank and more about being most important overall

Antonyms

267 3.5

Less important than the main thing or coming after it

104 4.1

Not important or too small to matter

Compounds

A very important problem that must be solved first

How Important

paramount
45 6.7
vital
403 3.5
important
1.0
minor
600 2.4
insignificant
104 4.1

Surface Forms

paramount positive

Etymology

The word paramount comes from old French words meaning 'over the mountain', the parts par ('by') and mount ('mountain', as in mountain or mount). So, something paramount is 'above' everything else in importance.