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 The genre so long seen as the dominion of white males melted the identity divide into the energy of the crowd. Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025 Ukraine does not want to agree to any recognition of Russian dominion over occupied lands, but might accept a freezing of the effective border along the current military front lines running through four southeastern provinces. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for dominion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion
Noun
  • After a slow opening two weeks, the explosive plays are back for Mahomes and the Chiefs, culminating in their 31-0 domination of the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Matthew Stafford put together an incredible performance in the Los Angeles Rams’ 35-7 domination of the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Zebra mussels can completely clog water intake structures and affect public water supplies, power generation and many other industries.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Dallas Cowboys climbed up most NFL power rankings lists following their 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With these findings, sodium-ion batteries may finally challenge lithium-ion dominance while also contributing to cleaner energy solutions and addressing freshwater scarcity.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • So, the defense doubled down on dominance in crunch time.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson reportedly regained control of the vehicle and attempted to flee again, but police executed a ramming technique, known as a tactical vehicle intervention, to disable the vehicle, the release says.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Ukraine says Russia is waging an imperial war of conquest to eradicate Ukrainian sovereignty and identity, and illegally bring it under Kremlin control.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • More than 15,000 Haitians lost their lives fighting against the United States’ seizure of Haitian sovereignty, including Charlemagne Péralte, the subject of Yveline Alexis’s engrossing and tragic account of the Occupation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the film versions of their work, most notably Babes in Arms starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, are considered classics, their stage productions do not hold the same sway in popular culture as those of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • As Boyle noted, Dak in particular is the player with perhaps the most leadership sway on how CU’s season turns out.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The weekly climb to high school cross country supremacy continues Friday and Saturday with the Orange County Championships.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Still, their progress, made easier by supremacy in the air, appeared inexorable.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP reign, like his team’s title defense, is off to a very good start.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • For the young Queen Elizabeth, acceding to the throne at just 25 after the unexpectedly early death of her father, King George VI, Churchill was a mentor, guide and counsel through the early years of her reign.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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