dominate
verb
dom·i·nate
ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 
dominated; dominating
2
: to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on
the ambition that has 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
sugar 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
China still dominates the battery's mineral processing, Golan admitted in an interview.
—
Jillian Magtoto, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
The Cougars currently dominate that record 72-17-3 and have won the last 10 straight meetings between the teams in a run that dates back to 2001.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
Beyond Technical Metrics The current landscape of AI evaluation is dominated by technical benchmarks that, while valuable, tell only part of the story.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
South Dakota State lost 21 players to transfer after last season, but the tradition of smash-mouth football and dominating the trenches did not leave.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dominate
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Jillian Magtoto, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
The Cougars currently dominate that record 72-17-3 and have won the last 10 straight meetings between the teams in a run that dates back to 2001.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
Beyond Technical Metrics The current landscape of AI evaluation is dominated by technical benchmarks that, while valuable, tell only part of the story.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
South Dakota State lost 21 players to transfer after last season, but the tradition of smash-mouth football and dominating the trenches did not leave.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 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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