Synonym Chooser

How does the noun dominion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dominion are authority, command, control, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When might authority be a better fit than dominion?

While the synonyms authority and dominion are close in meaning, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When could command be used to replace dominion?

The words command and dominion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can control be used instead of dominion?

Although the words control and dominion have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

Where would jurisdiction be a reasonable alternative to dominion?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and dominion are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is power a more appropriate choice than dominion?

The words power and dominion can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When would sway be a good substitute for dominion?

The synonyms sway and dominion are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 dominion It’s set in an empty warehouse loft, with light shooting through propeller fans (very Adrian Lyne), and with Miley, in her primal assertion of feminine dominion, joined by Naomi Campbell, the two of them obliterating the need for anyone else. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 June 2025 Her Miami appearance echoed many familiar themes, preaching about God’s dominion and transforming American values and culture. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025 The next generation of Kardashians will soon enough inherit the dynasty’s now quieter cultural dominion, despite the media’s relentless transmutation, because the family has become powerful enough to run on autopilot. M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 2025 The region was once home to the Samnites, an ancient Italic warrior people that fought the Romans for dominion before Rome became an empire. Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dominion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion
Noun
  • The brand does not aim for mass-luxury global domination.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2025
  • Here’s a look at the ten brands that rolled their way to the top in 2024, each with a different formula for domination.
    Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • There's more than enough power in the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models to allow macOS to run smoothly on the hardware.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • Black and Brown communities already hold immense economic power.
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Known for his dominance on both ends of the floor, Diarra was named the Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his BAL career.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Those two teams have won nine of the past 12 Grand Tour titles, and their spending matches their dominance.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The return for Baker, reflecting the high price for a reliever under club control for three additional seasons, will help in that regard.
    Levi Weaver, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Nothing The best wireless earbuds for most people, Nothing's Ear (a) (8/10, WIRED Recommends) sound and look great, and have decent noise cancellation, good battery life, and great touch controls.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The United States is declining into authoritarianism and threatening Canada’s sovereignty.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
  • In his latest book, Is a River Alive?, Macfarlane travels to three very different rivers (in Ecuador, India and Quebec) to examine the question of a river’s sovereignty.
    Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The world's wealthy are seeking cutting-edge retail experiences, but the personal touch of interacting with their favorite luxury stores still holds ultimate sway.
    Forbes Research, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Motorola, with its back-in-the-pack position and the uncertainty about whether its new Moto X phone would be a hit, had little sway in comparison.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The lights go up in Sin City on Sunday night as defending champion Mexico faces Costa Rica with Group A supremacy and a smoother road to the final on the line.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • One of them, Illinois coach Bret Bielema believes, is an end to the notion of the Southeastern Conference’s supremacy.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The latter was already poised to threaten the Celtics’ reign even before Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury in the Celtics’ second-round loss to the Knicks.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • This year, Travel + Leisure readers picked plenty of hotels offering that cultural appeal, including in Florence, the hub of contemporary design; Venice, with dreamy canal-side spots; and Rome, where elegant grand hotels reign supreme.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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