DOMINANT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dominant' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dominant are paramount , predominant , and preponderant . While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling. // a dominant social class

Q: When is 'paramount' a more appropriate choice than 'dominant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dominant , paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction. // unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

Q: When is it sensible to use 'predominant' instead of 'dominant'?

The words predominant and dominant can be used in similar contexts, but predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence. // a predominant emotion

Q: When would 'preponderant' be a good substitute for 'dominant'?

While the synonyms preponderant and dominant are close in meaning, preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect. // preponderant evidence in her favor

dominant

adjective

ˈdä-mə-nənt

Definition of dominant

as in main

coming before all others in importance the dominant authority on the English language

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dominant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dominant are paramount, predominant, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When is paramount a more appropriate choice than dominant?

While in some cases nearly identical to dominant, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When is it sensible to use predominant instead of dominant?

The words predominant and dominant can be used in similar contexts, but predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When would preponderant be a good substitute for dominant?

While the synonyms preponderant and dominant are close in meaning, preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dominant Week 2 of the NFL has already seen the Bills look like the most dominant team on the league. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026 But after leaving the diamond behind, Lyons became a dominant force on the gridiron. — Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 But just like in Russia, where voters are able to go to the polls and vote, the elections will be rigged so that the only candidates with a chance of winning will be the candidates sponsored by the sate’s dominant political party. — Chris West, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2026 The struggles on offense will overshadow and dominant defensive effort, Sarkisian said. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant

Adjective

The delay again has created a potential cash crunch for districts during the wait for their cut — often a main revenue source for local governments — and added to the pile of complaints about the county’s decade-long property tax system upgrade.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
This sandwich gives main character energy, but don’t skip over the other items available at BoJaynes, from specialty spices to wraps.

— Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

In 2008, a San Francisco court denied Stone's attempt to alter the custody arrangement which listed Bronstein's San Francisco home as Roan's primary residence, with Stone getting visitation rights.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Even with Oracle founder Larry Ellison the primary backer of his son’s ParaBros dreams, the even older Ellison’s net worth, which has been declining of late, may not be able to handle the strain of months and months of such probes.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

Founded in 1937, the Fashion Scholarship Fund is the fashion industry’s foremost education and workforce development nonprofit.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Making the roster more functional will be the foremost objective for whomever Crane chooses to replace Brown.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

The systems are among the most sophisticated industrial machines ever built and are critical to modern leading-edge chip production.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Between this film and his upcoming leading role in Beach Read, the adaptation of author Emily Henry‘s 2020 novel of the same name, Schwarzenegger says Champion, 29, is looking forward to his new releases.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of leading

Adjective

Take Ludwig, 2018, the artist’s first CGI video, which for eight minutes stays fixed on a single CGI blond boy who rolls around in the dark hold of a ship amid a storm.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
First ring, first row of the Koch Theater is widely considered to have the best seats in the house.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

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“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dominant

adjective

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