1
: highest in rank or authority
the supreme commander
especially
: in a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
the nation's supreme leader
This Constitution … shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. —
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Constitution In that house Lady Fawn reigned supreme, and no one ever doubted, for a moment, as to obedience. —Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope On the runways, glitter and gorgeousness ruled supreme … —Liza Foreman
see also supreme being
Liza Foreman 2
: greatest in degree, quality, or intensity
supreme satisfaction/pleasure/indifference
His was the perfect poise, the supreme confidence in self, which nothing could shake …—Jack London
Jack London3
: characterized by highest excellence or achievement : outstanding
supreme among musicians
a supreme athlete
… does not a supreme poet blend light and sound into one, calling darkness mute, and light eloquent?—George Eliot
George Eliot4
b
: of utmost importance : crucial
… I knew exactly what I wanted to do as an adult. I would study dinosaurs, a firm conviction inspired by one supreme moment of childhood terror dissipated by fascination—my first look at Tyrannosaurus rex in the American Museum of Natural History.—Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould
supremely
adverb
a supremely [=extremely] confident performer/player
supremely important ideas
supremeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of supreme in a Sentence
The board has supreme authority over such issues.
She has an air of supreme confidence about her.
the supreme example of what not to do
a problem of supreme importance
It's a matter of supreme indifference to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, it is frequently overlooked by general celebrants of the spooky holiday who are not supreme enthusiasts of the King of Pop.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The supreme leader has also vowed to start stoning women to death in public again.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 30 Oct. 2024
In a world where tradition often reigns supreme, Betty Duarte-Matwick’s passion for mariachi music sparked a revolution that not only changed her life but also helped transform the landscape of this vibrant genre in Phoenix.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024
Autumn signals the need for crisp-weather layers, but one reigns supreme: fall sweaters.
—Madison Yauger, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for supreme 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The supreme leader has also vowed to start stoning women to death in public again.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 30 Oct. 2024
In a world where tradition often reigns supreme, Betty Duarte-Matwick’s passion for mariachi music sparked a revolution that not only changed her life but also helped transform the landscape of this vibrant genre in Phoenix.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024
Autumn signals the need for crisp-weather layers, but one reigns supreme: fall sweaters.
—Madison Yauger, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for supreme
Dictionary Entries Near supreme
Cite this Entry
“Supreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supreme. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
supreme
adjective
su·preme
sə-ˈprēm 
sü-
1
: highest in rank or authority
2
: highest in degree or quality
3
: greatest in degree
giving one's life is the supreme sacrifice
supremely
adverb
supremeness
noun
Etymology
from Latin supremus, a form of superus "upper," from super "over, above"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share