supremacy

noun

su·​prem·​a·​cy sə-ˈpre-mə-sē How to pronounce supremacy (audio)
sü-,
 also  -ˈprē-
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
especially : a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
military/naval supremacy
In the 20th century, two completely different models of how to run an economy battled for supremacy. Bill McKibben
Natal's well-watered valleys … became by the end of the 18th century the site of a contest for supremacyNoel Mostert
Every high school boasts its elite squad of lookers: sparkling teeth, merciless anatomy, sunny filaments of hair … . Between classes, they parade down the halls, trooping their supremacies like Clydesdales. Richard Lacayo
2
: ultimate authority or power
belief in the supremacy of God

Examples of supremacy in a Sentence

the Roman empire had supremacy over the entire Mediterranean world the supremacy of cashmere among wools accounts for its high price
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Race to World First draws millions of global viewers eager to watch elite teams battle for supremacy in World of Warcraft, one of the world’s most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing (MMORPG) games. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 July 2025 Close Race The Phils, who have been battling the New York Mets for supremacy in the National League East, finished the weekend at 56-43, giving them a lead of just one-half game in the division. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Shorn of its revolving door to the State Department and the Democratic Party establishment, PEN America will henceforth eke out a miserable existence, trying to simulate moral and intellectual supremacy long after its demise. Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 With a single sentence, Arizona reaffirmed the judiciary’s supremacy and stripped interpretive power from unelected bureaucrats. Jon Riches, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for supremacy

Word History

Etymology

supreme + -acy (as in primacy)

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supremacy was in 1540

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supremacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supremacy. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

supremacy

noun
su·​prem·​a·​cy sə-ˈprem-ə-sē How to pronounce supremacy (audio)
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
2
: supreme authority or power

More from Merriam-Webster on supremacy

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