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
That larger halo could bring multiple globular clusters together, but could also not necessarily contain other reservoirs of gas or normal matter, being instead overwhelmingly dominated by dark matter.
—
Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s an update on the boxy, cropped shirt that dominated feeds last year, while denim spans shorts, baggy and straight jeans in various washes.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
Mascherano said the keys to the game were dominating possession and playing compact defense.
—Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Weekdays will be dominated by breezy east-northeast wind with gusts up to 20 mph.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dominate
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Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s an update on the boxy, cropped shirt that dominated feeds last year, while denim spans shorts, baggy and straight jeans in various washes.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
Mascherano said the keys to the game were dominating possession and playing compact defense.
—Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Weekdays will be dominated by breezy east-northeast wind with gusts up to 20 mph.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dominate
Cite this Entry
“Dominate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dominate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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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