preponderance

noun

pre·​pon·​der·​ance pri-ˈpän-d(ə-)rən(t)s 

1

: a superiority in weight, power, importance, or strength

2

a

: a superiority or excess in number or quantity

b

: majority

Synonyms

• distinction
• dominance
• eminence
• noteworthiness
• paramountcy
• preeminence
• preponderancy
• prepotency
• prestigiousness
• primacy
• superiority
• supremacy
• transcendence

Examples of preponderance in a Sentence

not since Rome in its glory days had a nation enjoyed such overwhelming military preponderance

a preponderance of the evidence points to the guilt of the defendant

Recent Examples on the Web

After a year from hell, podcasting was repeatedly thrust into the spotlight over the past 12 months owing to a preponderance of head-turning moments and a presidential-election cycle that radically foregrounded the medium’s consequential nature. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024

Much has been made about whether the film is indeed a feminist statement, or an exploitive work, given the preponderance of beautiful, captive women in torn costumes. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024

Analysts looked at everything from the preponderance of elder abuse to assaults per capita to the share of adults with rainy day funds to the rate of fatal occupational injuries. —Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024

Catholics complained about the preponderance of word-usage examples from Martin Luther, and about the tone of certain entries. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

preponderance

noun

pre·​pon·​der·​ance pri-ˈpän-d(ə-)rən(t)s 

: a greater quantity, number, weight, or importance

the preponderance of evidence suggests that the accused is guilty