Synonym Chooser

How does the noun dominion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dominion are authority, command, control, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When might authority be a better fit than dominion?

While the synonyms authority and dominion are close in meaning, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When could command be used to replace dominion?

The words command and dominion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can control be used instead of dominion?

Although the words control and dominion have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

Where would jurisdiction be a reasonable alternative to dominion?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and dominion are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is power a more appropriate choice than dominion?

The words power and dominion can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When would sway be a good substitute for dominion?

The synonyms sway and dominion are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 dominion Humanity’s mandate to exercise dominion implies experimenting with every arena of creation, soil science, finance, neurology, and now neural networks, while refusing to idolize any fragment of that creation. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025 Another recurring element in human history is dominion. Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 But the Maginot instead crashes in a part of southeast Asia that’s the dominion of Prodigy, a corporation founded by Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), an overgrown child obsessed with Peter Pan, who struts around his research facility barefoot in pajamas. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025 The BIDs have influence over about half of 14th Street; the Union Square folks’ dominion covers First to Sixth Avenues, the Meatpacking group’s from Eighth to the Hudson. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dominion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion
Noun
  • Packers’ domination of Detroit just one game?
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • More recently, from 2013 to 2014, Gardin documented the destructive transit of cruise ships through Venice’s delicate canals—a grotesque symbol for the domination of the city, and the country, by tourism and big business.
    Max Norman, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Expect spectacle, but also a story about claiming identity and embracing power.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Boise trustees have the unusual power to increase or decrease property tax collections.
    Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But despite his global dominance, Armani — who died at age 91 on September 4 — will be honored for the last time in a private funeral ceremony away from the spotlight and near his birthplace.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The dominance of Wilson, Langley and Moroney will be welcomed as a signpost for the many who have championed the underdog role of women in country in recent years.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Somehow, the Hollywood star was still welcomed into the cockpit by the starstruck flight crew and allowed to briefly take control of the airliner.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Shut out of control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Democrats are seeking to rebuild their brand with the American electorate following a poor performance during the 2024 presidential election.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Gil Pinto thanked Araghchi for Tehran's support and emphasized the importance of respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Manu individuals are beginning to blend food sovereignty with the desire to reconnect with the source of their meals.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Even if the measure advances out of the House, the Senate remains a massive roadblock, one where Majority Leader John Thune holds great sway.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The ruling landed as a symbolic rebuke of Musk’s sway over Tesla, and a warning about the excesses of Silicon Valley’s cult-of-founder ethos.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • America’s supremacy in chip designing is uncontested.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement For an administration that claims to be concerned about maintaining technological and scientific supremacy against international rivals, the political warfare on higher education makes no sense.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Akhmadaliev’s title reign ended in April 2023 when Marlon Tapales took a split decision from him in San Antonio, Texas.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, if the ongoing reign of multiplayer shooter Marvel Rivals is any indication, the comic book character wrapping might just be the incentive needed to get otherwise bookish gamers fully committed to the bloodsport.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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