Synonyms

dominate

American

[dom-uh-neyt] / ˈdɒm əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

to rule over; govern; control.
to tower above; overlook; overshadow.

A tall pine dominated the landscape.
to predominate, permeate, or characterize.
Mathematics. (of a series, vector, etc.) to have terms or components greater in absolute value than the corresponding terms or components of a given series, vector, etc.
Linguistics. (of a node in a tree diagram) to be connected with (a subordinate node) either directly by a single downward branch or indirectly by a sequence of downward branches.

verb (used without object)

to rule; exercise control; predominate.
to occupy a commanding or elevated position.

dominate British

/ ˈdɒmɪˌneɪt /

verb

to control, rule, or govern (someone or something)
to tower above (surroundings, etc); overlook
(tr; usually passive) to predominate in (something or someone)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of dominate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin dominātus, past participle of dominārī “to master, control,” from domin(us) “lord, master” + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

If your basketball team is undefeated, you could say that it was able to dominate the competition. To dominate means to be in control or have the power to defeat. Dominate is related to the word domain — which means home. While these words may not seem all that similar, when you are the master of a home or thing, you dominate it. If you get angry, it is wise to not let your feelings dominate you or your actions. Dominate can also mean to be most prominent. If in the woods around your house, oak trees are the most common, you could say that "oak trees dominate the forest."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of that has to do with the types of companies that dominate the market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

It might not be the easiest on the eye against strong defences but it feels catered to tournament football, providing England a base upon which they dominate the ball, while taking calculated risks.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

At a time when a handful of large companies dominate most portfolios, the “small-stock premium” is due for a comeback.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Major tech companies are going head-to-head in the race to dominate AI, competing to sway talent and consumers into using their products.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026

For two or three years in the mid-thirties, Mr Neighbours's name seemed to dominate conversations in every servants' hall in the land.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023