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

“Because the voters enacted the Proposition 50 Map, we hold that the relevant inquiry is whether race predominated in the minds of the voters,” the decision said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We often see a transition from influenza A, which predominates early on, to influenza B, which is more common in late February into March,” says Kuritzkes.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• hold sway