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 Stark, strategic realities require we the people of the United States disengage from the cabal that is attempting to assert dominion over our country. Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives. Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025 In a place built on stretching human limitations, where people exert dominion over everything from fertility to outer space, even turning mortality into a business opportunity, the divine has seemed, to some, obsolete. Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025 Kanye West goes on another antisemitic rant, defends Diddy, declares ‘dominion’ over wife. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dominion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion
Noun
  • By the early 2000s, Tiger Woods domination transformed the economics of the sport.
    Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • That period of domination in the ’70s and ’80s was still so fresh in everyone’s mind.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The show explores themes of power, identity and culture in Harlem.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 5 May 2025
  • Bucharest Reuters — Romanians voted on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could propel hard-right eurosceptic George Simion to power in a ballot that will test the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Regarding $100 Million All-Star, MVP This year, it's been more of the same dominance for Skenes, as he's made eight starts, sporting a 2.77 ERA with 47 strikeouts across 48.2 innings pitched.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • Jada assured that all Los Angeles artists get spins in their hometown, however, Fat Joe had more to say about the Grammy-winner’s dominance.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • China has increased export controls on rare earths including some critical to the defense industry and added more American companies to its export control and unreliable entity lists, restricting their business with and in China.
    Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Americans should respect the sovereignty of other countries.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 1 May 2025
  • This measure also protects our national security by projecting American sovereignty in the Arctic, where China and Russia are aggressively increasing their activities.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, progressives held sway on issues like housing, where some of the most restrictive zoning in the country kept resident development stalled even as homelessness and encampments spread.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025
  • The reshuffling came after conservative podcast host and influencer Laura Loomer exerted increasing sway on Trump's decision-making, encouraging Trump to fire two senior officials on the National Security Council after a White House visit.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • And while the watch world has had a Formula 1 obsession as of late—as brands compete for supremacy in the sport—this watch actually flew under the radar for a time, with Leclerc wearing it all the way back at the Bahrain GP a month ago without anyone really noticing.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 May 2025
  • Global Competition Is Fiercer Than Ever While the U.S. once held an undisputed lead in R&D, nations such as China, Germany and Japan are rapidly closing the gap, vying for supremacy in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum science and sustainable energy technologies.
    Justin Schwartz, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Oasis enjoyed one of the longest reigns ever as one of the most commercially successful bands in the United Kingdom.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • Historic conclave commences Roman Catholic cardinals enter a secluded conclave in the Vatican to select a pontiff to replace Pope Francis, a beloved figure whose 12-year reign ended with his death April 21 at age 88.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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