Synonyms of dominant

dominant

adjective

ˈdä-mə-nənt 

as in main

coming before all others in importance

the dominant authority on the English language

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• predominant
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• foremost
• big
• leading
• first
• key
• central
• principal
• chief
• supreme
• cardinal
• paramount
• overriding
• great
• premier
• sovereign
• overbearing
• primal
• prior
• master
• capital
• No. 1
• top
• preeminent
• distinguished
• major
• number one
• overmastering
• outstanding
• sovran
• grand
• important
• superior
• senior
• notable
• arch
• eminent
• prestigious
• influential
• stellar
• noteworthy
• illustrious
• signal
• numero uno
• high-level
• star
• mighty
• significant
• noble
• unequalled
• unparalleled
• famous
• incomparable
• momentous
• unequaled
• renowned
• celebrated
• famed
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• negligible
• insignificant
• slight
• unimportant
• secondary
• trivial
• subordinate
• inferior
• inconsequential
• collateral
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• subsidiary

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

Recent Examples of dominant

The centrist liberal alliance is expected to take around 16 seats, while the once-dominant VVD— led at the time by now NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, is polling near 15 seats down sharply from 24 in 2023. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025

That includes Sunday’s dominant 44-24 win at Empower Field at Mile High. —Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025

In the Champions League last week, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany started Konrad Laimer (right-footed) and Raphael Guerrero (left) at full-back, but on the opposite side to their dominant foot. —Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025

In a complaint filed in 2023, Gannett and the other plaintiffs accused Google of violating federal antitrust laws by abusing its dominant position to control and profit from the technology used by publishers to buy and sell ads across the internet. —Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025