Synonyms of dominate

dominate

verb

ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 

1

as in to subdue

to bring under one's control by force of arms

The tyrant used brute force to dominate all countries in the region.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subdue
• conquer
• subject
• defeat
• overcome
• overpower
• subjugate
• subordinate
• enslave
• vanquish
• reduce
• pacify
• crush
• beat
• smash
• annihilate
• suppress
• lick
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• whip
• quell
• rout
• mow (down)
• thrash
• trounce
• clobber
• smother
• quash
• repress
• silence
• squelch
• drub
• squash
• snuff (out)
• put down
• crack down (on)
• wallop
• break
• skunk
• clamp down (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• free
• emancipate
• release
• spring
• discharge
• enfranchise
• unbind
• manumit
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

2

as in to overlook

to look down on

The remains of an ancient fortress dominate the town.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overlook
• front
• face
• command

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dominate

Watch On Longing for the colorful tumbling force of fantastic '80s-era sci-fi sword-and-sorcery flicks that dominated multiplexes and mom-and-pop video rental shops in the Reagan years? —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Once dominated by older consumers focused on preventative health, today the category is increasingly driven by younger shoppers interested in performance, personalization and daily wellness routines. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

By about 1500 trade in the Indian Ocean was dominated by Arab, Indian, Malay, and Chinese merchants, who together used various seafaring craft to transport a spectrum of cargo, from spices to elephants. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

If the same war broke out in a world dominated by wind and solar, electricity production would largely be insulated, said Sefa-Nyarko. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026