Synonyms of predominant

predominant

adjective

pri-ˈdä-mə-nənt 

as in main

coming before all others in importance

parental involvement has been found to be the predominant factor in a child's success in school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• dominant
• greatest
• primary
• highest
• foremost
• big
• leading
• first
• principal
• key
• central
• chief
• supreme
• paramount
• overriding
• cardinal
• great
• prior
• primal
• premier
• sovereign
• overbearing
• major
• capital
• No. 1
• master
• distinguished
• number one
• preeminent
• top
• overmastering
• outstanding
• important
• notable
• sovran
• noteworthy
• grand
• eminent
• superior
• numero uno
• prestigious
• signal
• arch
• influential
• senior
• illustrious
• stellar
• significant
• high-level
• noble
• star
• unequalled
• mighty
• unparalleled
• famous
• momentous
• incomparable
• renowned
• unequaled
• celebrated
• famed
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• negligible
• slight
• insignificant
• secondary
• unimportant
• trivial
• subordinate
• inferior
• inconsequential
• inconsiderable
• collateral
• trifling
• subsidiary

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

Recent Examples of predominant

That happens to be the case for bird flu and H1N1, which emerged as one of the predominant types of seasonal flu after the 2009 pandemic. —Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025

In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste. —Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025

Common cold and flu are hitting hardest, with influenza A the predominant strain. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025

Whether these changes have the intended effect where all four JGR teams are in contention is going to be a predominant storyline, especially through the opening months. —Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025