dominant

adjective

ˈdä-mə-nənt How to pronounce dominant (audio)
Definition of dominantnext
as in main
coming before all others in importance the dominant authority on the English language

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 In the race, though, Porsche looked dominant in the way Jaguar did on so many occasions last year. —ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025 By the middle of 1970, the Sentinel became the dominant name on the masthead. —Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 Bam came in as a dominant effort, energy defender, winning player, lob threat and then really developed some ball handling, facilitating skills that were different than what CB had. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article Good morning, The Padres got back home and got back to playing dominant baseball. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant
  1. main
  2. predominant
  3. primary
  4. foremost
  5. big
  6. leading
  7. first
Adjective
  • As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The 9a's main camera takes 12MP images thanks to pixel binning, and the resulting shots are nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro's.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.
    — Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Common cold and flu are hitting hardest, with influenza A the predominant strain.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • The port has a heavy military presence in addition to being a primary hub for fuel imports, Yemeni sources said.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Williams pointed to rising production costs and declining attendee donations as primary reasons the Silver Room Block Party could not continue, highlighting a reality that all street festival organizers face right now.
    — Pamela Maass, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.
    — The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Heading them is none other than Robert Keller, who wasn’t killed after all, and now blames his big bro for abandoning him.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • If that were true, then, for instance, the pervasive corruption one sees in countries such as Hungary or Turkey, or things like demonetization in India, all of which looked pretty bad, would have led to big hits in terms of government popularity.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of big
Adjective
  • The midfielder is yet to win a trophy with Mikel Arteta’s side, but is playing a leading role in their quest for Champions League glory.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Callaghan will next be seen in a leading role opposite John Slattery in The Rainmaker series adaptation for USA Network and Peacock, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of leading
Adjective
  • The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Combs' trial, which will take place in downtown Manhattan, is currently set to begin with jury selection on the first Monday in May.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of first

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Cite this Entry

“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dominant

Nglish: Translation of dominant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dominant

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