preponderant

Definition of preponderantnext

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 Americans stand one win from cementing a legacy as one of the most dominant women’s hockey teams.
    John Wawrow, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at Love Field and operates 18 of the airport’s 20 gates.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • With the right development, the cost of residing here could be more affordable than typical; that would be attractive for the thousands of lower-paying jobs in the area.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • These pastries aren’t just your typical donuts with a fancy name.
    Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But the predominant response has been one of welcome, support and encouragement.
    Will Barker, TheWeek, 10 Feb. 2026
  • For the past fifty years, the predominant theory held that our capacity to parse complicated syntax rested on specialized, innate faculties.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Take a representative poster from 1938.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Schools have to administer a standardized test that compares a student’s performance with a representative national sample, such as the Iowa Assessments or ACT.
    Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on preponderant

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