utmost

utmost
1 of 2
adjective
ut·;most ;;t-;m;st   especially Southern  -m;st
Synonyms of utmost
1
: situated at the farthest or most distant point : extreme
the utmost point of the earth
—John Hunt
2
: of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, number, or amount
a matter of utmost concern
utmost

2 of 2
noun
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


Did you know?
Utmost, which typically communicates that something is of the greatest or highest in degree, number, or amount, is commonly found modifying words like importance, concern, and respect. But utmost can also indicate that something is, literally or figuratively, farthest or most distant—that it is outmost, as in “the utmost point.” Utmost in fact traces back to the Old English word ;tmest, a superlative adjective formed from the adverb ;t, meaning “out.” Utmost can also function as a noun referring to the highest attainable point or degree, as in “the inn provides the utmost in comfort and luxury.” The noun also often occurs in phrases such as “we did our utmost to help” where it means “the highest, greatest, or best of one’s abilities, powers, and resources.”

Synonyms
Adjective

farthest
remotest
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The strategy is critically needed, and is of utmost urgency in Central Florida, which saw 439 fatal childhood drownings over the past 15 years (2009-2024) — the most recorded in any of the state’s six regions, according to Florida DCF.
—Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025
Just like with physical health, these results are treated with the utmost transparency.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Noun
Nothing says confidence in your own policy-making like doing your utmost to keep consumers (most of whom double as voters) from understanding why their costs have risen so much.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti tried their utmost to change the script at the Italian Open, but this was always a two-horse chariot race.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Word History
Etymology
Adjective

Middle English, alteration of utmest, from Old English ;tmest, superlative adjective, from ;t out, adverb — more at out entry 1

First Known Use
Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of utmost was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century
Phrases Containing utmost
do one's utmost