preponderate

1 of 2

verb

pre·​pon·​der·​ate pri-ˈpän-də-ˌrāt 

preponderated; preponderating

intransitive verb

1

: to exceed in weight

2

: to exceed in influence, power, or importance

3

: to exceed in numbers

transitive verb

1

archaic : outweigh

2

archaic : to weigh down

preponderation

pri-ˌpän-də-ˈrā-shən  ˌprē- 

noun

preponderate

2 of 2

adjective

pre·​pon·​der·​ate pri-ˈpän-də-rət 

: preponderant

preponderately adverb

Examples of preponderate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Representation has preponderated in the medium to such an extent that its hold has seemed complete. —Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin praeponderatus, past participle of praeponderare, from prae- + ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1818, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

preponderate

intransitive verb

pre·​pon·​der·​ate pri-ˈpän-də-ˌrāt 

preponderated; preponderating

: to have greater credibility or convincing weight : have an outweighing effect

the evidence either was evenly balanced or preponderated in favor of the state

—Weston v. State, 682 P.2d 1119 (1984)

such evidence preponderates against the board's decision