Definition of predominantnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word predominant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of predominant are dominant, paramount, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When can dominant be used instead of predominant?

While in some cases nearly identical to predominant, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When could paramount be used to replace predominant?

In some situations, the words paramount and predominant are roughly equivalent. However, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

In what contexts can preponderant take the place of predominant?

The words preponderant and predominant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 predominant The defense team plans to employ Othram to conduct a Y-STR test, a method that isolates DNA from the Y chromosome to generate a profile of a male contributor in samples where female DNA is predominant. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 There are two predominant rumors about how a wild herd ended up in the Inland Empire, Spasojevic said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The predominant suites—all of which have generous outdoor space—are spread across four buildings whose Indonesian names translate to mountain, hill, plateau and valley. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026 Through the year 2027, architecture convergence will remain predominant, meaning centralized computing, zonal designs, maturing OTA functionality, shareable and reusable software platforms and stronger hardware/software modularity. — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predominant
Adjective
  • In 2019, a train lost control while approaching Cairo’s main station in Ramses Square, igniting a fire that killed 25 people.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Tens of thousands of people packed Florida’s main square for the Mass under brilliant blue skies, some walking for several kilometers (miles) to reach the site.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Georgia turned in one of the most dominant performances of the season in a 42-7 victory at Mississippi on Saturday.
    — Eric Olson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In 2021, Larson won 10 races and was more or less a dominant force.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Party organizations were strong, our legislative allies were aligned, and labor held significant influence within the primary process.
    — Denis Hughes, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Much of his campaign was run against the Democratic establishment, with his primary opponent backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The bigger problem, explained one of the world’s foremost experts on longevity, is timing.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet for the actors who brought them to life, some of their most memorable roles didn’t come with a big paycheck.
    — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Schumer is poised to become majority leader just two years after Democrats lost the Senate, with a bigger majority than his party has commanded in more than a decade.
    — Theodoric Meyer The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Predominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predominant. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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