adj
Common
supreme
soo-PREEM
Supreme (adj) means having the highest power or authority; dominant over all others. Example: “The Supreme Court has the final say in constitutional matters.”
adj
1
Having the highest power or authority; dominant over all others.
"The Supreme Court has the final say in constitutional matters."
"He was named supreme commander of the forces."
"In this company, the board holds supreme authority over every decision."
2
Greatest in degree or quality; utmost.
"She showed supreme confidence walking into the interview."
"The chef took supreme care over every dish."
"It was a moment of supreme happiness for the whole family."
How to use supreme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe very highest in rank, power, or degree.
Common pairings
supreme court
supreme commander
supreme confidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- supremes
- Third person singular
- supremes
- Past tense
- supremed
- Comparative
- supremer, more supreme
- Superlative
- supremest, most supreme
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ Court has the final say in constitutional matters.
Etymology
From Latin supremus, the superlative of superus ("above"). A doublet of supremo.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for supreme
See all rhymes for supreme →Frequently asked questions
What does “supreme” mean?
The word “supreme” means having the highest power or authority; dominant over all others. In plain terms, the very highest in rank, power, or degree.
How do you pronounce “supreme”?
“Supreme” is pronounced soo-PREEM (/ˌsuˈpɹim/ in IPA).
How do you use “supreme” in a sentence?
Here is “supreme” used in a sentence: “The Supreme Court has the final say in constitutional matters.”
What is the opposite of “supreme”?
The opposite of “supreme” — its antonyms — are inferior and minor.
What part of speech is “supreme”?
“Supreme” is an adjective.
Where does the word “supreme” come from?
The word “supreme” comes from Latin. From Latin supremus, the superlative of superus ("above"). A doublet of supremo.
Is “supreme” a common word?
“Supreme” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “supreme” have?
“Supreme” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having the highest power or authority; dominant over all others.
What is the difference between supreme and superior?
Supreme means the very highest, above everything else, with nothing greater. Superior simply means better than something specific it is compared to, without being the ultimate. A supreme court is the top authority; a superior product is merely better than a rival. Superior is relative and comparative; supreme is absolute and unmatched.
What is an example of supreme?
The Supreme Court is a clear example, the highest court whose decisions cannot be overruled. Supreme commander describes the top military leader, and supreme ruler means one with total authority. Beyond power, it can describe a peak quality, as in supreme confidence or supreme effort, meaning the greatest possible.
Is supreme a positive word?
Supreme is generally positive or admiring, suggesting excellence, mastery, or the highest rank, as in supreme skill or supreme achievement. In the context of power, it is neutral, simply denoting the top authority. It only turns negative when it implies arrogance or unchecked dominance, such as claiming supreme control over others.
What is the opposite of supreme?
Opposites depend on the sense. For power, the opposite is subordinate, inferior, or lowest, ranking below others rather than above. For quality, opposites include poor, mediocre, or ordinary. Where supreme means the highest and unmatched, its antonyms describe whatever sits at the bottom or falls short of the best.
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