dominate
verb
dom·i·nate
ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 
dominated; dominating
2
: to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on
ambition 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
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
Photos and videos of arrests in the hallways of New York’s Federal Plaza Immigration Court have made headlines and dominated social media feeds.
—
Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Garnet Hill excels in the kind of cabin-core, heirloom print, and quilt-like styles that are dominating designer mood boards.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
At one end are the studio behemoths — the glossy, four-quadrant CGI machines that have long dominated the field.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
The Bills dominated the line of scrimmage.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dominate
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Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Garnet Hill excels in the kind of cabin-core, heirloom print, and quilt-like styles that are dominating designer mood boards.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
At one end are the studio behemoths — the glossy, four-quadrant CGI machines that have long dominated the field.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
The Bills dominated the line of scrimmage.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 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 2 Dec. 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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