Synonym Chooser

How is the word dominant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dominant are paramount, predominant, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When is paramount a more appropriate choice than dominant?

While in some cases nearly identical to dominant, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When is it sensible to use predominant instead of dominant?

The words predominant and dominant can be used in similar contexts, but predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When would preponderant be a good substitute for dominant?

While the synonyms preponderant and dominant are close in meaning, preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dominant Still, in every respect, the U.S. has never been so dominant. Ron Insana, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 Defensively, the 49ers were just as dominant, receiving first-half sacks from Leonard Floyd (two), Yetur Gross-Matos and Maliek Collins. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 So scoring 36 straight points on the Commodores, turning in another dominant defensive performance, getting another clear step forward from redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and winning 36-23 to unofficially clinch a Playoff spot was even better than all that sounds. Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024 The Bulldogs aren’t nearly as dominant as the team that won back-to-back national titles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dominant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant
Adjective
  • Assad's fall came after his main backers, Russia, Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, were either distracted or weakened by other conflicts.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The home's main entrance consists of double glass doors that open onto the living room.
    Adam Williams, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Multicolored sleepwear made of flannel, cotton and satin was the predominant attire among attendees to adorn the beginning of the end of Un Último Sueño, Gira Los Estadios (One Last Dream, The Stadiums Tour).
    Natalia Cano, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2024
  • For his part, DiMarco worked to ensure that the film’s American Sign Language, which is the predominant language in the doc, is portrayed and interpreted accurately.
    Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Nvidia has been the primary beneficiary of the ongoing artificial intelligence boom, with its next-generation AI chip Blackwell now in focus.
    Shafi Musaddique, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Anthropic has established strategic partnerships, most notably with Amazon Web Services, which provides the primary cloud infrastructure for training its AI models.
    GuruFocus, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite being one of the industry’s foremost data analysts, Larissa Jensen is a storyteller at heart.
    James Manso, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The founder is one of India’s foremost fashion curators who brought Indian fashion together for 30 years.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Texas has a championship-level defense and a feast-or-famine passing game led by starting quarterback Quinn Ewers that typically makes enough big plays.
    The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The opportunity to compete in the biggest year-end event and potential to get your name on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup during a final table broadcast and livestream is a rush and honor to the late legendary poker player, Hall of Famer and WPT commentator Mike Sexton.
    Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • As technology continues to advance and costs decline, EGS has the potential to play a leading role in the global shift toward sustainable energy, providing solutions that meet both electricity and heating needs while combating climate change.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • His performance in The Inheritance also earned him a Tony Award in 2021 for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play. 04 of 05 Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman Ansu Kabia plays the Huntsman, who is the Evil Queen's servant in the original film.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The superstar also traveled with Furnish to the Toronto Film Festival in September, sitting between his husband and Cutler, for the first public screening of the documentary.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • This year’s Miss Universe, held in Mexico City last month, admitted women aged over 28 for the first time ever.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near dominant

Cite this Entry

“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dominant

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