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 The Dolphins’ offensive and defensive lines have a long way to go before they’re considered anything approaching being dominant. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Sasaki was dominant for that long Thursday night, looking like every bit of the player the Dodgers have dreamed about for two seasons. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 31 July 2026 Still, a study led by Xin Xiong at Nanjing University finds that in China, recycling could become the dominant source of many key materials needed to manufacture EV components over the coming decades. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 The Dodgers have helped an often-wobbly Roki Sasaki transform into a dominant force in the starting rotation. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant

Adjective

Al-Hilal is keen to offload the player, who is training separately from their main squad and not in coach Simoene Inzaghi's plans.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The Nazca Lines, enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 100,000 annual visitors.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

With predominant compensation associated with clinical performance, the other aspects can gradually mount and lead to burnout.

— Nishtha Sareen, Forbes.com, 4 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 company has committed to investing at least $1 billion to construct one roughly 300,000-square-foot facility, but the campus could expand to include up to five primary buildings, officials have said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
Whether Castillo and Gausman can return to form and help their respective clubs get deep into October will be a primary storyline here the rest of the year.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

Today, perhaps the foremost image of a moderate is that of a centrist on a left-right spectrum.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Briggs, the architect, built a reputation for bespoke luxury homes along the Orange County coast and was named among Architectural Digest’s 100 foremost architects in 1991, according to background materials from the listing team.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

In the afternoon, book a spot at one of Copenhagen’s many hot tub experiences; some favorites include Hottub Copenhagen and CopenHot, the biggest outdoor spa in Denmark.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Canales had prepped the crowd beforehand that this was going to happen, so Asher’s appearance drew the biggest cheer of the evening.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of big

Adjective

Of course, leading businesses have practiced exactly this kind of expansion for decades, evolving from a central headquarters to operations that are distributed across multiple locations.

— Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
In the early days, Howe had effectively served as a de facto sporting director, leading signings.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of leading

Adjective

The Astros took over the division lead for the first time since April after a three-game sweep of the Rangers over the weekend.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Amazon shares gained 4% and hit a new all-time high on Monday, putting its market cap over the $3 trillion threshold for the first time following a better-than-expected earnings report last week.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of first

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“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dominant

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