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
  • This particular finding presents a more nuanced framing of gun violence and challenges dominant narratives about Chicago’s violence that have plagued the city’s reputation for decades.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Google’s browser is now even more dominant, increasing its share to more than 70%.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His analysis of Paqueta’s performances in the four games under scrutiny was that his fouls were simply typical of an attacking midfielder trying — not very successfully — to help his team defensively.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Temperatures will be slightly cooler over the fire today, with winds outside of thunderstorm gusts being typical diurnal winds.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • My research looked more at what happened peripherally in muscles, but the predominant model had the brain at the top.
    Sara Giordano, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
  • With global supplies heavily concentrated, most notably under China’s predominant influence, the risks of disruption due to trade restrictions or geopolitical tensions loom large.
    Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The two issues, which are aimed at representative and direct democracy, set up what could be the most consequential special session in recent history, potentially altering the trajectory of Missouri for years.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The studies included both nationally representative samples and more demographically homogenous groups, such as college students from an elite university.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on preponderant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!