predominate

American  

[pri-dom-uh-neyt] / prɪˈdɒm əˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

predominated, predominating

1. to be the stronger or leading element or force.

2. to have numerical superiority or advantage.

   The radicals predominate in the new legislature.

3. to surpass others in authority or influence; be preeminent.

   He predominated in the political scene.

4. to have or exert controlling power (often followed byover ).

   Good sense predominated over the impulse to fight.

   Synonyms:

   dominate, overrule

5. to appear more noticeable or imposing than something else.

   Blues and greens predominated in the painting.

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verb (used with object)

predominated, predominating

1. to dominate or prevail over.

predominate British  

/ prɪˈdɒmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to have power, influence, or control

2. (intr) to prevail or preponderate

3. rare (tr) to dominate or have control over

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adjective

1. another word for predominant

Other Word Forms

• predominately adverb
• predominatingly adverb
• predomination noun
• predominator noun

Etymology

Origin of predominate

1585–95; < Medieval Latin praedominātus, past participle of praedominārī to predominate. See pre-, dominate

Example Sentences

Though it may appear that optimism predominated throughout 2025, there were significant swings in sentiment.

From MarketWatch

The blues predominate, especially on the Village set, which opens with a 15-minute workout titled “Jump Up and Down—Fast.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Now as then, Hungarians, Poles and Czechs predominate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Italy's fashion suppliers are predominately small- and medium-sized companies, tens of thousands of whom have shuttered in recent years, according to industry associations, amid a luxury downturn and higher production costs.

From Barron's

Holly, 15, has been learning predominately from home since January 2024, only going in for exams and essential assessments.

From BBC

Related Words

• hold sway