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Synonyms

dominate

American  
[dom-uh-neyt] / ˈdɒm əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

dominated, dominating
  1. to rule over; govern; control.

  2. to tower above; overlook; overshadow.

    A tall pine dominated the landscape.

  3. to predominate, permeate, or characterize.

  4. 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.

  5. 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)

dominated, dominating
  1. to rule; exercise control; predominate.

  2. to occupy a commanding or elevated position.

dominate British  
/ ˈdɒmɪˌneɪt /

verb

  1. to control, rule, or govern (someone or something)

  2. to tower above (surroundings, etc); overlook

  3. (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

  • dominating adjective
  • dominatingly adverb
  • dominative adjective
  • dominator noun
  • nondominating adjective
  • overdominate verb (used with object)
  • redominate verb
  • undominated adjective
  • well-dominated adjective

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

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.

Success continues to dominate the headlines for them, but the Bruins show no signs of complacency.

From Los Angeles Times

On the days French music was played, French wine sales dominated, on German music days the German wine sold far better.

From BBC

But several other Magnificent Seven leaders that also dominate the S&P 500 are conspicuously absent from the fund.

From Barron's

An unusual and persistent mix of cold and wet conditions has dominated the month.

From BBC

By the 1980s, polymer paint on canvas was the norm for independent works of art, and female artists, who now dominate the field, entered once exclusively male territory.

From The Wall Street Journal