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 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 The exterior is clad in glass and limestone that reflects the predominant materials on Northwestern’s nearby campus. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predominant
Adjective
  • His main instinct is to pull out a wad of bills and fling it in their faces.
    — Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Early Friday, a drone carrying four missiles destroyed the transformers at Shendi’s main substation, the local security committee said.
    — Hamza Fahmy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Antetokounmpo continued his dominant start to the season, producing his second triple-double of the season and the 58th regular-season triple-double of his career.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2026
  • North Crowley just toyed with the running game with 20 rushes for 114 yards, but the Panthers were dominant through the air.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The Heat used Larsson, Portis, Hardaway and Nikola Jovic as its four primary reserves for the third straight game to start the season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • One thing most agree on is that the diminishment of competitive seats leads to greater polarization because legislators are only beholden to primary voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 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
  • The Lakers went to sleep in the second quarter and started to get cooked by the Warriors, watching their big lead get sliced to 53-53 at the half.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Now, having just turned 81 years old, Lula faces his biggest challenge of all.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Predominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predominant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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