Supreme — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /sə-ˈprēm/ su·preme

Meaning & Definition of Supreme

Supreme (adjective)

  1. highest in rank or authority; especially, in a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
  2. greatest in degree, quality, or intensity
  3. characterized by highest excellence or achievement, outstanding

Supreme (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. highest in rank or authority

    "the supreme commander of the multinational force"

    similar: chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, top, in charge
    related: high-level, senior, controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory, main, major, paramount, predominant, predominate, sovereign, ascendant, dominant, grand, superior, topmost, upmost, upper, uppermost
    near: ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary, assistant, assisting, coadjutor, deputy, junior, under

  2. coming before all others in importance

    "in our house, watching baseball reigns supreme as the activity of choice on summer evenings"

    similar: arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one, numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign
    related: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior, high-level, senior, top, important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant, incomparable, matchless, unequaled, unparalleled, unsurpassed, celebrated, famed, famous, renowned
    opposite: last, least
    near: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

  3. of the greatest or highest degree or quantity

    "considers a letter of gratitude from a former student the supreme reward for his years of teaching"

    similar: consummate, last, max, maximum, most, nth, outside, paramount, top, ultimate, utmost, uttermost
    related: unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassed, biggest, hugest, largest, topmost, upmost, uppermost
    opposite: least, minimal, minimum, slightest
    near: littlest, minutest, smallest, tiniest, lowest, fewest

Related Entry: Supreme Being (noun)

Supreme Being is a different word from Supreme. The synonyms below are for Supreme Being, not for supreme.

  1. the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe

    "anthropologists have found that most cultures around the world believe in a Supreme Being"

    similar: Allah, Almighty, Author, Creator, deity, Divinity, Eternal, Everlasting, Father, God, Godhead, Jehovah, King, Lord, Maker, Providence, Yahweh

Related Entry: Supreme court (noun)

Supreme court is a different word from Supreme. The synonyms below are for supreme court, not for supreme.

  1. the highest court of law in a country or U.S. state

    "Supreme Court justices"

    similar: high court, bar, bench, forum, tribunal, judicatory, judicature, judiciary, civil court, criminal court, trial court, court-martial, drumhead court-martial, inquisition, kangaroo court

Related Entry: Supreme courts (noun)

Supreme courts is a different word from Supreme. The synonyms below are for supreme courts, not for supreme.

  1. the highest court of law in a country or U.S. state

    "Supreme Court justices"

    similar: high courts, bars, benches, forums, tribunals, judicatories, judicatures, judiciaries, civil courts, criminal courts, trial courts, courts-martial, drumhead court-martials, inquisitions, kangaroo courts

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Supreme

The most common words with a similar meaning to Supreme:

chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, top, arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, dominant, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, main, master, number one, numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, primal, prior, sovereign, consummate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Supreme

Words with the opposite meaning of Supreme:

last, least, minimal, minimum, slightest

Related Words for Supreme

high-level, senior, controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory, major, predominate, ascendant, superior, topmost, upmost, upper, uppermost, distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar

Near Antonyms of Supreme

ancillary, inferior, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary, assistant, assisting, coadjutor, deputy, junior, under, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, collateral, littlest, minutest, smallest, tiniest

Word Forms of Supreme

Derived words: supremely (adverb), supremeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Supreme

Latin supremus, superlative of superus upper superior

First known use: 1513

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Supreme

Words & Phrases Containing Supreme

Supreme Being, supreme court, Supreme Soviet, reign supreme, the Supreme Being, make the final/supreme/ultimate sacrifice

Frequently Asked Questions about Supreme

What does "Supreme" mean?

"Supreme" means highest in rank or authority; especially, in a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence. As an adjective, it is defined as: highest in rank or authority; especially, in a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Supreme"?

Other words for "Supreme" include chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead and leading. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Supreme" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Supreme"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Supreme". Common alternatives include chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead, leading, preeminent and premier.

What is the opposite of "Supreme"?

Antonyms of "Supreme" include last, least, minimal, minimum and slightest. Near antonyms include ancillary, inferior, less and lesser.

How do you use "Supreme" in a sentence?

Examples of "Supreme" in a sentence: "the supreme commander of the multinational force"; "in our house, watching baseball reigns supreme as the activity of choice on summer evenings"; "considers a letter of gratitude from a former student the supreme reward for his years of teaching".

Is "Supreme" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Supreme" is an adjective.

Is "Supreme" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Supreme" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Supreme"?

"Supreme" is pronounced /sə-ˈprēm/ and divided into syllables as su·preme.