Synonyms of dominant

dominant

adjective

ˈdä-mə-nənt 

as in main

coming before all others in importance

the dominant authority on the English language

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• predominant
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• foremost
• big
• leading
• first
• key
• central
• principal
• chief
• supreme
• cardinal
• paramount
• overriding
• great
• premier
• sovereign
• overbearing
• primal
• prior
• master
• capital
• No. 1
• top
• preeminent
• distinguished
• major
• number one
• overmastering
• outstanding
• sovran
• grand
• important
• superior
• senior
• notable
• arch
• eminent
• prestigious
• influential
• stellar
• noteworthy
• illustrious
• signal
• numero uno
• high-level
• star
• mighty
• significant
• noble
• unequalled
• unparalleled
• famous
• incomparable
• momentous
• unequaled
• renowned
• celebrated
• famed
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• negligible
• insignificant
• slight
• unimportant
• secondary
• trivial
• subordinate
• inferior
• inconsequential
• collateral
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• subsidiary

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dominant

These remain the dominant source of heat generation for huge swaths of processing industries ranging from distillers, dairy, paper and pharmaceutical processors up to clothing, metals, glass and cement makers. —Nick Nuttall, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

As Hip-Hop rose to prominence as the dominant force in Black popular culture during the ‘80s, Jones made a genuine effort to incorporate it into his work, forging a connection between eras. —Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025

Start with a dominant design and layer complimentary prints with coordinating color palettes. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025

Cleveland drafted Garrett out of Texas A&M with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, and since then, the dominant edge rusher has been a force on the field. —Wayne Sterling, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025