dominate

verb

dom·​i·​nate ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 

dominated; dominating

transitive verb

1

: rule, control

an empire that dominated the world

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

intransitive verb

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

dominative

ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tiv 

adjective

dominator

ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of dominate

• subdue
• conquer
• subject
• defeat
• overcome

Examples of dominate in a Sentence

One company has dominated the market for years.

This work dominated the art scene last year.

Our team dominated play throughout the game.

Recent Examples on the Web

At a time when Iran dominates political headlines, this novel offered a deeply human perspective on a country too often reduced to geopolitics. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

That’s especially true for the recent wave of sheer, your-nails-but-better nudes that have dominated the 2026 nail scene. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026

Its lawyers may persuade the court that the transaction will create a stronger competitor to Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Apple and other technology giants increasingly dominating the entertainment business. — Paul Hardart, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

The cask finish enhances texture and aromatic complexity without dominating the whiskey's bourbon character. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin dominatus, past participle of dominari, from dominus master; akin to Latin domus house — more at dome

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dominate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

domination

ˌdäm-ə-ˈnā-shən

noun

dominative

ˈdäm-ə-ˌnāt-iv 

adjective

dominator

-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Etymology

derived from Latin dominari "to rule, govern, control," from dominus "master, owner" — related to condominium, dame, domain, dominion, don entry 2