dominate
verb
dom·i·nate
ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 
dominated; dominating
2
: to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on
the ambition that has dominated his life
3
: to overlook from a superior elevation or command because of superior height or position
a hill that dominates the town
4
a
: to be predominant in
sugar maples dominate the forest
b
: to have a commanding or preeminent place or position in
name brands dominate the market
1
: to have or exert mastery, control, or preeminence
his desire to dominate
a dominating factor in industrial growth
2
: to occupy a more elevated or superior position
Examples of dominate in a Sentence
One company has dominated the market for years.
He dominated her life for many years.
His work dominated the art scene last year.
Our team dominated throughout the game.
Our team dominated play throughout the game.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Salvadoran legislature, dominated by the president’s ruling coalition, removed five Supreme Court justices and the attorney general.
—
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
The Lions were dominating, and Glenn’s defense — decimated by injuries — forced two turnovers and held a prolific Minnesota passing attack under 200 passing yards.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
As Florida has become increasingly dominated by Republicans, the state Democratic Party has been weakened by infighting and largely ineffectual in elections.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Jackson injured as Kansas City dominates Baltimore Both the Chiefs and Ravens went into their Week 4 game desperate to avoid a 1-3 start.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dominate
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T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
The Lions were dominating, and Glenn’s defense — decimated by injuries — forced two turnovers and held a prolific Minnesota passing attack under 200 passing yards.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
As Florida has become increasingly dominated by Republicans, the state Democratic Party has been weakened by infighting and largely ineffectual in elections.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Jackson injured as Kansas City dominates Baltimore Both the Chiefs and Ravens went into their Week 4 game desperate to avoid a 1-3 start.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dominate
Cite this Entry
“Dominate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dominate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dominate
verb
dom·i·nate
ˈdäm-ə-ˌnāt
dominated; dominating
1
: to have a commanding position or controlling power over
2
: to seem to command by rising high above
a volcano dominates the island
Etymology
derived from Latin dominari "to rule, govern, control," from dominus "master, owner" — related to condominium, dame, domain, dominion, don entry 2
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