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
  • If anything, Leeds were more dominant and more aggrieved in the first match than Bournemouth were in the second.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • That came on the heels of Monday’s dominant pitching performance in a 2-0 win over Bartlett.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • My apprenticeship began with a simple disassembly, a typical exercise for new employees.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Frazier described a typical pricing cycle pattern, noting that spot prices move first, before highway contract rates follow suit with a three-to-six-month lag.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Royse said that according to the AccuWeather long range forecast, there will be a brief warmup starting next week, but chilly air masses will be more predominant for the second half of the month, contrary to the first two weeks of April.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
  • In mixed turf, mow to the height for the predominant species in your lawn.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Drive up the coast and enjoy this outpost of the Getty Museum, where the views of the Pacific are showstopping, and the Italian villa is so perfectly representative of California decadence.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Not to replace representative government, but to inform it more honestly.
    Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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