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 two quickly built a rapport, and Preservation began sending ‘Nandez beats, eventually inviting him to New Orleans to hang out while devising the project’s sonic core and predominant themes. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 The outbreak has been caused by norovirus and the predominant symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 Essentially, Demna’s touch is so predominant in this first drop, not only in the styling, attitudes but also with the different personas depicted in each picture. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 This state of matter is predominant in the universe. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predominant
Adjective
  • Those designing the new main building decided to cut that association, the aim being to make the first-team facilities an area players must aspire to enter.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In addition, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Research on ancient Egypt is largely biased toward the elite, whose spectacular tombs, monuments, and artifacts have been the dominant focus.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In 1972, the Sunday Times published an obituary for Flo, Flint’s mother and the dominant matriarch, after she was found face down on the edge of a stream.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Pathways, promises and potential are always the primary motivations.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Five years later Augusta had a stroke, with Ed acting as primary caretaker.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet, on arguably the country’s biggest sporting day, the then-19-year-old showed no glimmer of nerves.
    Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • That doesn’t bode well for a Boise State team allowing 225.7 yards per game through the air, which ranks 85th in the country, and getting beaten for big plays.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Dozens of press freedom groups and more than 100 leading writers, journalists and scholars called for Guevara’s release from ICE detention.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • All three of these moves are on display in One Battle After Another, DiCaprio’s latest leading turn and the 10th full-length feature from writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson.
    Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predominant. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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