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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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 Having entertained offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs, Zion-Benton senior running back Jamere French intends to be a dominant force this season. — Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Andrew Sears, a left-hander from UConn with potentially dominant stuff, called up to the major leagues by the Tigers on Saturday. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 2026 Romance stories and drama thrillers are still the dominant genres for short-form serials and recurring series, but that mix is changing. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Having never thrown a complete game in his five-year career, Fiers was dominant. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant

Adjective

In the Brazilian city of Cuiabá, the mayor, Abílio Brunini, prohibited one such championship from taking place in the city’s main public space.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Next, workers will install new cables, bolted into the five main branches, to stabilize the tree before removing the old supports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

The primary comes as Trump attempts to brush off a string of primary losses, with his 10th endorsed candidate losing in last week’s elections.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
The primary hurdle moving forward is integrating efficient extraction technologies into existing treatment infrastructure to yield materials that meet industrial standards.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Alanna Rizzo is one of the foremost authorities on Major League Baseball.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

Prosecutors revealed Davis’ admittedly big mouth had been opening to investigators since 1998 – only two years after Shakur was gunned down – in a series of secret interviews trying to minimize his own legal damage by giving information to the cops.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Gone was the terror of wondering if the piece that was about to air was going to get big enough laughs from the live audience.

— Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of big

Adjective

Announced at the Hot Chips conference, the processor is the first dual-architecture mainframe chip from IBM and is being developed for future IBM Z and LinuxONE systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
Nvidia said the first computing racks built on technology from its $20 billion Groq deal, the Groq 3 LPX, will be operational later this year, with Nebius as the launch customer.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of first

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dominances

dominant

dominate

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“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dominant

adjective

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