1
: situated at the farthest or most distant point : extreme
the utmost point of the earth—
John Hunt
John Hunt2
: of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, number, or amount
a matter of utmost concern
1
: the most possible : the extreme limit : the highest attainable point or degree
the utmost in reliability
2
: the highest, greatest, or best of one's abilities, powers, and resources
will do our utmost to help
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Utmost comes from Old English ūtmest, a superlative adjective formed from the adverb ūt, meaning "out." The earlier sense of utmost carries the same meaning as outermost.
Synonyms
Examples of utmost in a Sentence
Adjective
supreme power that extended to the utmost points of the empire
she is a successful leader who deserves the utmost respect
Noun
This new system represents the utmost in modern technology.
It's designed to provide the utmost in comfort.
We had to push ourselves to the utmost to finish the job in time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Collaborating with artists on her pieces is also of the utmost importance to her to serve as a voice for Africa.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 31 Oct. 2024
Abe Kwok, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
Bakker: Mariska was a very kind and sweet singer who did her utmost to achieve the best.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for utmost 
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Adjective
Years after dazzling in primetime by covering herself in fake blood, Gaga had graced the Oscars stage with utmost elegance, capable of evolving her talents and becoming a stately pop spokeswoman.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Collaborating with artists on her pieces is also of the utmost importance to her to serve as a voice for Africa.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Parents do their utmost to shield their children from harm.
—Abe Kwok, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
Bakker: Mariska was a very kind and sweet singer who did her utmost to achieve the best.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for utmost
Dictionary Entries Near utmost
Cite this Entry
“Utmost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utmost. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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