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 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
  • The first indication that dark energy may not be as dominant as previously thought emerged courtesy of the first results from DESI in Spring 2024.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • While Kalshi and Polymarket remain the dominant players, other challengers are emerging.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Midea Flexify Air Fryer isn’t your typical air fryer.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Nearby Leyte and northern parts of Mindanao, both populous islands in the center of the country, saw between 150 and 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) of rain in only 24 hours — well above the typical monthly rainfall for November.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Crime and safety, particularly in Downtown, were the predominant issues in the race, especially after a string of high-profile incidents this summer and fall.
    Jordan Kellogg, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Despite the concerns around African democracy, Afrobarometer’s annual African Insights survey shows voting in elections remains the predominant form of political and civic engagement, with nearly three-quarters of respondents voting in their country’s elections last year.
    Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With the aim of building a more globally representative voting body, Monday’s announcement revealed the accepted class is comprised of 50% of people 39 and under, 58% of people of color and 35% women.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But that penalty would have never existed had Florida not squandered two drives in the final eight minutes, both in representative fashion.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on preponderant

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