preponderant

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of preponderant are dominant, paramount, and predominant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

In what contexts can dominant take the place of preponderant?

In some situations, the words dominant and preponderant are roughly equivalent. However, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When is it sensible to use paramount instead of preponderant?

The meanings of paramount and preponderant largely overlap; however, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When would predominant be a good substitute for preponderant?

Although the words predominant and preponderant have much in common, predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

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 preponderant American grand strategists also need to ask whether the country still benefits from being the preponderant provider of global public goods, such as freedom of navigation. Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 Market value was preponderant in determining the value of the piece of land that the state deemed worthy of expropriating. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 But the preponderant migrants’ motivation has been, and continues to be, to provide a better life for their families. Bill Gray, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025 Market value was preponderant in determining the value of the piece of land that the state deemed worthy of expropriating. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 But the preponderant migrants’ motivation has been, and continues to be, to provide a better life for their families. Bill Gray, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025 With preponderant influence in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, Iran is the regional power that has best been able to take advantage of the crisis in the Middle East. F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 The relevance and recent growth of regional Mexican music has become undeniable, and today, the genre holds a preponderant place within the industry. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2023 Under federal law, race cannot be a preponderant motive in drawing a district, wrote Dr. Cervas, a fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. Jimmy Vielkind and Eliza Collins, WSJ, 21 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preponderant
Adjective
  • Bryson DeChambeau has been one of the most dominant American golfers this season.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Beck was dominant in his first season as a starter in 2023.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The company has a high cash burn rate and a very small revenue base, which is typical for a business in a nascent industry.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This was well below the typical 0.91 of an inch average for the month.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The other predominant design component is that her outdoor space is divided into multiple functional private spaces around the house.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The predominant effect that this law will have is to prevent law-abiding citizens from purchasing their preferred firearm.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That survey of 3,300 farmers included participants reached through various organizations, and the findings may not be representative of farming as a whole.
    Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Polling was conducted online and segmented by gender, region, political affiliation, age, and race to ensure a representative sample.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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