domineer

verb

dom·​i·​neer ˌdä-mə-ˈnir How to pronounce domineer (audio)
domineered; domineering; domineers

intransitive verb

: to exercise arbitrary or overbearing control

transitive verb

: to tyrannize over

Examples of domineer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When her father Philip dies, Rachel’s domineering mother, Carol, played by Ormond (see first look image), driven by the belief that Philip’s lifeless body will revive itself, forces her daughter to live with the corpse. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 June 2023 Standing next to her is Lara, the biological mother, a domineering woman dressed in expensive designer clothes. Jennifer Wilson, The New Republic, 8 May 2023 Both Houzz and the NKBA are seeing wood coming in close second to (if not surpassing) the once-domineering white vanities. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2023 The film is set on a remote island along Croatia’s Adriatic coast where 17-year-old Julija spends her days diving for eel, longing to free herself from her domineering father, Ante. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Mar. 2023 The House speakership vote left the Republican leader domineered by a select group of far-right members who secured radical rules changes and key committee spots, even usurping other Republicans who supported McCarthy from the beginning. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 20 Feb. 2023 Government mandates are currently only allowing 1,200 Venezuelans to come back per week, leaving many stranded for unknown periods of time – and with little choice but to embark on an unofficial jaunt home, which entails paying criminal enterprises that domineer the porous crossings. Hollie McKay, Fox News, 21 Aug. 2020 La Vecchia Signora were at their domineering best for the first time in what feels like forever. SI.com, 28 Sep. 2019 There, Ned is raised by his domineering mother, Ellen (The Babadook’s Essie Davis, who’s married to Kurzel in real life), once his Irish-convict father, Red (Ben Corbett), exits the picture. Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'domineer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Dutch domineren, from French dominer, from Latin dominari

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of domineer was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near domineer

Cite this Entry

“Domineer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domineer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

domineer

verb
dom·​i·​neer ˌdäm-ə-ˈni(ə)r How to pronounce domineer (audio)
: to rule or behave in a bossy way
domineering adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on domineer

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!