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
  • Research on ancient Egypt is largely biased toward the elite, whose spectacular tombs, monuments, and artifacts have been the dominant focus.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In 1972, the Sunday Times published an obituary for Flo, Flint’s mother and the dominant matriarch, after she was found face down on the edge of a stream.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Stephen Glennon, vice president, national accounts at OEC Group, noted that there wasn’t the typical peak season this year.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The buck has 14 points and rough scores as a non-typical at 184 inches.
    Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.
    Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Facebook emerged as the predominant tool—particularly in Egypt and Tunisia—helping organizers broadcast calls to march, circulate videos and connect people across the country to turn out and oust their leaders.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Vancouver completely manhandled a similarly representative Flames lineup, ultimately winning 8-1.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The result was representative of how both sides of the ball performed, as the offenses were unstoppable from the second quarter on, and the defenses could not buy a stop.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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