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

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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 There has not been a truly open Democratic presidential primary — without an incumbent president or a dominant frontrunner — in almost two decades. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Whether hydrogen ultimately becomes the dominant energy source for future flying cars remains uncertain. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026 There has not been a truly open Democratic presidential primary — without an incumbent president or a dominant front-runner — in almost two decades. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The dominant hardware of daily life is engineered for portability, not for posture — and most users have never adjusted a setup to bring screens up to eye level. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant

Adjective

But Gold Phoenix was inside both his main rivals and might have saved just enough ground to make the difference.

— Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
Kevin Knight, Ospreay Attacks The Death Riders Kevin Knight received little-to-no reaction for his entrance, but that’s to be expected as a young star in his first pay-per-view main event.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

While summer is still the predominant season, the average acreage burned in winter, spring and fall have all increased too, according to the analysis.

— Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Repeated, large fires have caused a decline in the predominant species of conifers, the black spruce, shifting what vegetation regrows.

— Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

If diversification were really the primary reason to own private equity, more capital would already be there for that reason alone.

— Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
The address of the shooting is listed as the primary residence for Elijah Bieniemy, according to online property records.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

The executions have drawn attention to the ageing death-row population in the US, as well as Florida’s status as the foremost death penalty state.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026
Among the most significant was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision Paris, one of the world’s foremost textile and fashion sourcing platforms.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

About the swamp A big, big place The Okefenokee Swamp is vast, 438,000-440,000 acres spanning about 700 square miles mostly in Charlton, Ware and Clinch counties in Georgia‘s southeast corner.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
That means one in four rooms were available during the world’s biggest sporting event.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Definition of big

Adjective

Nationwide, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14, according to the CDC.

— Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
The new program, incorporating consultants’ advice on how leading companies are deploying AI, has spawned 50 initiatives.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of leading

Adjective

Now, with one-year mercenary players plus rapid roster turnover, the first game deters even the most addicted sports gambler.

— Mac Engel July 28, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
For Glenn Robinson, winning Best Content Creator marked his first victory after several nominations in local competitions.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Definition of first

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“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dominant

adjective

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