more than; even more than

にもまして means even more than something else that was already considerable. Attach it to a noun (何にもまして means more than anything). It is formal and emphasizes a comparison where the new degree surpasses the previous.

Examples

• 今年ことしは例年れいねんにもまして暑あつい。

  Kotoshi wa reinen ni mo mashite atsui.

  This year is even hotter than usual.

• 何なんにもまして、健康けんこうが大切たいせつだ。

  Nani ni mo mashite, kenkou ga taisetsu da.

  More than anything, health is important.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 今年 this year
• 暑い hot (weather)
• 健康 health

Related patterns · Concession and contrast

• 〜といえども even though; although
• 〜ものを if only; and yet (regret/reproach)
• 〜はおろか let alone; not to mention
• 〜にひきかえ in contrast to; unlike