dominant

adjective

ˈdä-mə-nənt How to pronounce dominant (audio)
Definition of dominantnext
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 Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a front-row seat to Texas Tech’s dominant defensive front. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026 Variety will host its inaugural True Crime Summit at SXSW, presented by Investigation Discovery, on March 13, convening the most influential voices behind one of entertainment’s most dominant and culturally resonant genres. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026 Where Jonathan’s dominant reputation is one of being good at challenges but bad at forming social bonds, Joe’s reputation is a kind of sentrylike stoic loyalty. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026 Believe Kim Spradlin-Wolfe wasn't actually that dominant? —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominant
  1. main
  2. predominant
  3. primary
  4. foremost
  5. big
  6. leading
  7. first
Adjective
  • Flight disruption Dubai Airports confirmed that all flights in and out of the city’s two main airports have been suspended until further notice.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Cantor was referring to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, formed in 1927 and seen as a company union whose main purpose was less to honor excellence in the motion picture arts than to keep a tight rein on artists who wanted a bigger slice of the pie.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • With the war increasingly breaking down along the country’s predominant Arab and African ethnic groups, Sudan faces the task of rebuilding a national identity along with all the other trappings of a state.
    — Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The predominant response of official Washington was to ignore this warning like the ones before it.
    — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • But California has a top-two primary system in which all candidates run against each other regardless of party, advancing to the November general election if no candidate reaches 50% of the vote.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The excursion was part of a larger Cook County program that is bringing early voting sites to 24 suburban Cook County high schools, allowing eligible students and staff to cast their Illinois primary ballot early with more convenience.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The Falcons needed stability at quarterback, and Cousins, who is maybe the world’s foremost aficionado of cheesy sports movies with fairytale finishes, had a chance to write a warm and fuzzy end to his story.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The capture of Donetsk and Luhansk -- which together form the Donbas area -- is the foremost Kremlin goal.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Hill said organizers explored the possibility of holding the event in La Jolla Shores but determined that Kellogg Park isn’t big enough for it.
    — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The big adjustment the Wolverines made was making La Mirada’s Gene Roebuck work a little harder.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of big
Adjective
  • But barring any further surprises, Paramount CEO David Ellison will assemble a sprawling entertainment and news empire with dozens of TV channels, multiple movie studios and two leading newsrooms.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and other leading contenders, by contrast, seemed content to instead move forward with what is in place.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of leading
Adjective
  • Taylor Whitehill added 13 points, while Avery Lanore scored 12 and Maddie Schneider scored 11 for the Mustangs, who took control in the first half, outscoring the Pirates 27-17 and extending the advantage in the second half.
    — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Lakers led by 11 points in the first half and 12 in the second half – the latter after Reaves made a jumper early in the third quarter to begin a 10-0 Laker run – but Bane tied the score at 81 before giving Orlando (31-26) a handful of two-point leads in the fourth quarter.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of first

Browse Nearby Words

dominances
dominant
dominate
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Cite this Entry

“Dominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominant. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dominant

Nglish: Translation of dominant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dominant

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