Word
supremacy
Phoneticssuprema·cy
US/səˈpɹɛməsi/
UK/suːpɹˈɛməsi/
Definitions
01total power or dominance
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the position of having more power, authority, or influence than anyone else.
n. the state of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status. Often used in political or military contexts.
“The empire struggled to maintain its military supremacy over the neighboring countries.”
“The naval supremacy of the British fleet during the nineteenth century allowed for the expansion of trade routes across the globe.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'over'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02being the best at something
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the state of being better or more successful than all competitors.
n. the quality of being the best or most successful in a particular field or activity.
“The team's supremacy in the league was clear after they won ten games in a row.”
“Technological supremacy in the semiconductor industry is a primary goal for many competing nations in the modern economy.”
Synonyms
03ideology of superiority
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the belief that one group of people is better than others and should have all the power.
n. the ideology or belief system asserting that a specific group is inherently superior to others and should exercise dominance over them.
“The group was criticized for promoting ideas of racial supremacy.”
“Sociologists study how institutional structures can inadvertently maintain the supremacy of one social class over another.”
Teaching tip
In modern social and political discourse, this sense is frequently used in the context of 'white supremacy' to describe systemic racism.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“No government or entity has ever managed to hold both military and political supremacy over the entire territory of Yemen in modern history .” “As formerly enslaved people secured freedom and basic civil rights, pursued educational and economic opportunities, and gained political power, many white Americans sought to reassert white supremacy .” Etymology
From supreme + -acy (a variant of -cy). Compare with supremity and New Latin suprematia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Supremacy · 2013 · Progressive rock
- Artist:
- Muse
- Album:
- The 2nd Law
British rock band Muse released this dramatic track as a single in 2013. The title refers to a state of total power and dominance, exploring themes of humanity losing control over the world. It uses the word in a literal sense to describe the struggle for ultimate authority.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/supremacy