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 But, still, there is no predominant military presence of Hezbollah or any other political/military/non-state actor in these areas. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026 Warm and slightly muggy conditions will be the predominant theme for the Pirates home opener game this evening. Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 First, the predominant previous assessment of many pundits that Gulf states’ collective large investments in defense were prestige driven — as opposed to a necessity — has fallen flat on its face. Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026 But on the Facebook Just in Time Broadway fan group, which has 7,700 members and seems to be the locus of Groffie fandom, the predominant tone is warm, almost giddy. Alexandra Starr, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predominant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predominant
Adjective
  • Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping mall.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • But the leak appeared to get worse when the service module fired its main engine for the translunar injection burn on Day 2 of the flight, according to Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • If anything, Leeds were more dominant and more aggrieved in the first match than Bournemouth were in the second.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • That came on the heels of Monday’s dominant pitching performance in a 2-0 win over Bartlett.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Lemon was also the Trojans’ primary return man during his sophomore and junior seasons and was even used on a trick play against Oregon this season that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass to then-freshman Tanook Hines.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The Highway Trust Fund — the primary federal account dedicated to funding highways, bridges and transit — is going broke.
    Andrew Stasiowski, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Just last month it was reported that Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers organiser, raped women and girls, and Noam Chomsky—one of the left’s foremost intellectuals whose most popular book is called Manufacturing Consent—is right there on the Epstein private jet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The number of people with severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and deadly kind, is expected to increase to 800,000, the world’s foremost experts on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in February.
    Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • With the Moon meeting Jupiter in your 9th House, big ideas around travel, learning, or growth feel expansive and worth pursuing.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Two of the Cubs’ biggest power threats in the middle of the lineup came into Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies searching for something to build upon.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Predominant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predominant. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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