preponderate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to exceed something else in weight; be the heavier.
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to incline downward or descend, as one scale or end of a balance, because of greater weight; be weighed down.
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to be superior in power, force, influence, number, amount, etc.; predominate.
Evidence for the accused preponderated at the trial.
verb
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(often foll by over) to be more powerful, important, numerous, etc (than)
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to be of greater weight than something else
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of preponderate
1615–25; < Latin praeponderātus, past participle of praeponderāre to outweigh. See pre-, ponder, -ate 1
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.
See Examples For:
“If his own opinion prevails at some times, he should acquiesce on seeing that of others preponderate at others. Without this mutual disposition we are disjointed individuals, but not a society.”
From Washington Post ● Jan. 10, 2019
He specifically stated that "management of the institution must be genuinely international, without preponderate power of veto."
From Time Magazine Archive
These seek their complement in the other sex cell, but if the male micro-cellules preponderate in number over the female the result will be a male embryo, and vice versa.
From Time Magazine Archive
While it is true that some Reformed Congregations hold their services on Sunday, the preponderate number of them still cling to the traditional sabbath.
From Time Magazine Archive
Among some, the physical wants or animal propensities preponderate; in others, these are subordinate to the speculative tendencies—the cravings for the abstract, the supernatural.
From The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)
The number, on the whole, preponderated in favour of Francisco; but on the captain's side were the older and more athletic of the crew, and, we may add, the more determined.
From The Pirate, and The Three Cutters by Sullivan, Edmund J. (Edmund Joseph)
The market day close at hand still preponderated over any day even a year off.
From The Ravens and the Angels With Other Stories and Parables by Charles, Elizabeth Rundle
As this latter opinion preponderated Daniel did not find that he was treated with any marked respect in his native town.
From Lady Anna by Trollope, Anthony
They came from Tonga in 1835 and naturally settled first in the eastern islands, where the Tongan element, already familiar to them, preponderated.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various
Of course this new tongue modified itself with the exigencies of those who spoke it; and as the French ingredient declined, the Milesian preponderated, till at length it became far more Irish than French.
From Confessions Of Con Cregan An Irish Gil Blas by Lever, Charles James
"The League cannot ignore the existence of Japan as a world power, and especially as a power with the preponderating position in Eastern Asia."
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Egerton, the indignation preponderating over the amusement.—"Probably just as I am about to do."
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
Moreover, even those who attribute to the "syndicate" of factors a preponderating power over historical progress do not attribute to intelligence a greater influence than we recognize as belonging to it.
From Socialism, Revolution and Internationalism by Deville, Gabriel
The juries made their presentments in respect of large masses of peasantry, under the preponderating influence of the gentry and without much chance for the verification of particular instances.
From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul
Bird’s-eye view of the Philippine Archipelago, showing the preponderating importance of Luzon.
From The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912 by Blount, James H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
