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
However, as Ventura and others have stated, that shifted over time and the accused appeared to employ old school pimp tactics to control and totally dominated the woman.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 June 2025
The pop icons are already dominating iTunes this Friday (June 6), as Americans once again rush to buy music by the Backstreet Boys en masse.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The turmoil brought forth by President Donald Trump’s evolving tariff policy, which has dominated economic headlines in recent months, has played a role in shaping the current state of the economy.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 6 June 2025
This is a game that will be dominating time on rec room TV or backseat car rides for years to come.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dominate
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Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 June 2025
The pop icons are already dominating iTunes this Friday (June 6), as Americans once again rush to buy music by the Backstreet Boys en masse.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The turmoil brought forth by President Donald Trump’s evolving tariff policy, which has dominated economic headlines in recent months, has played a role in shaping the current state of the economy.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 6 June 2025
This is a game that will be dominating time on rec room TV or backseat car rides for years to come.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 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 9 Jun. 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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