paramount authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paramount authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the highest level of power or control in a particular context or situation. Example: "In matters of national security, the president holds paramount authority over all military decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In it, Mr. Chaudhry noted that his court's paramount authority was enshrined in the Constitution.

The New York Times

"If Jiang's thinking is written into the party's basic guidelines, that will make him a paramount authority," said Wu Guoguang, a political scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong who used to write editorials for People's Daily, the party's mouthpiece.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In effect, she says, the party is instructing local officials to break laws when it will help them to meet higher priorities.Social stability is paramount: authorities in Tibet and in Jiangxi province recently announced that officials can be promoted for "outstanding performance" in maintaining stability.

The Economist

In the military, order and discipline are paramount, command authority absolute.

The New York Times

He added, "The problem is that young Shiite men will no longer listen to the Marja" — the paramount Shiite clerical authority — "and their political organizations.

The New Yorker

So it comes as little surprise that the paramount symbol of authority during soccer matches, the referee, is the target of generous doses of invective, often quite personal and obscene.

The New York Times

"For us, what was paramount was the authority of the newborn International Criminal Court, and it seems to us that the result which we just adopted is absolutely in line with the Statute of Rome," said Jean-David Levitte, the French representative.

The New York Times

"Deference to authority is paramount to your survival as a student".

The New Yorker

There is no one more powerful than Ayatollah Khamenei, who has been Supreme Leader, the country's paramount religious and political authority and the commander-in-chief of its armed forces, since Khomeini's death, in 1989.

The New Yorker

It is paramount that ministers, local authority services and third-sector groups in the three cities act together, in the short and long term, to protect as many of those involved as best they can.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Mr. Khatami controls neither the judiciary nor the state broadcasting system, which answer to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is chosen by the senior Muslim clergy and is the paramount political and religious authority in the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paramount authority" when you want to emphasize the supreme and ultimate nature of a power or control, especially in formal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "paramount authority" in casual or informal settings. The phrase's formality can sound stilted or unnatural in everyday conversation; opt for simpler alternatives like "main power" or "primary influence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paramount authority" functions as a noun phrase that designates the highest level of power or control. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing the power held by courts or leaders. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paramount authority" is a noun phrase denoting the highest level of power or control. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in news and media, to emphasize the supreme nature of authority. While not frequently used, the phrase is grammatically sound and carries a strong connotation of ultimate power. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "supreme power" or "ultimate control".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supreme power

Focuses on the power aspect, emphasizing the highest level of control.

ultimate control

Emphasizes the aspect of having the final say and complete command.

chief command

Highlights the commanding position and the top level of authority.

highest jurisdiction

Emphasizes the legal aspect of having the most significant legal authority.

principal influence

Shifts focus to influence, highlighting the most substantial impact.

leading power

Highlights the leadership position, with significant implications of control.

greatest sway

Emphasizes the influence and ability to affect decisions or actions.

final arbiter

Highlights the role of making the ultimate decisions or judgments.

key dominance

Focuses on the aspect of dominance and being the key influencing factor.

top sovereignty

Emphasizes the highest level of independent authority and control.

FAQs

How to use "paramount authority" in a sentence?

You can use "paramount authority" to describe the highest level of control or power in a specific domain. For example, "In this organization, the CEO holds "paramount authority" over all strategic decisions".

What can I say instead of "paramount authority"?

You can use alternatives like "supreme power", "ultimate control", or "chief command" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "paramount authority" or "ultimate authority"?

Both "paramount authority" and "ultimate authority" are grammatically correct. "Paramount authority" emphasizes the supreme nature of the authority, while "ultimate authority" emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the authority.

What's the difference between "paramount authority" and "leading power"?

"Paramount authority" suggests a formal and supreme level of control, whereas "leading power" emphasizes influence and dominance, without necessarily implying a formal or legally defined authority.