PREDOMINANT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'predominant' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of predominant are dominant , paramount , and preponderant . While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence. // a predominant emotion

Q: When can 'dominant' be used instead of 'predominant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to predominant , dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling. // a dominant social class

Q: When could 'paramount' be used to replace 'predominant'?

In some situations, the words paramount and predominant are roughly equivalent. However, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction. // unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

Q: In what contexts can 'preponderant' take the place of 'predominant'?

The words preponderant and predominant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect. // preponderant evidence in her favor

predominant

adjective

pri-ˈdä-mə-nənt

Definition of predominant next

as in main

coming before all others in importance parental involvement has been found to be the predominant factor in a child's success in school

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How is the word predominant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of predominant are dominant, paramount, and preponderant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

When can dominant be used instead of predominant?

While in some cases nearly identical to predominant, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When could paramount be used to replace predominant?

In some situations, the words paramount and predominant are roughly equivalent. However, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

In what contexts can preponderant take the place of predominant?

The words preponderant and predominant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of predominant During the summer, leaves appear green because the predominant pigment of photosynthesis, called chlorophyll, reflects green light. —

Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024 Bilateral symmetry is the predominant trait of Earth's extant species, which provides a timeline of evolution from more than half a billion years ago to the present day. —

New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024 Their ambitions were different from the careerism that soon became the cultural world’s predominant style. —

Benjamin Moser, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024 Flint was a predominant automaking center but much of the manufacturing there has moved out in recent decades, though General Motors still operates Flint Assembly. —

Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predominant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predominant

Adjective

The zinc gradually lost its hold on the cables suspending the telescope’s main platform over the reflector dish.

Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
The measure’s main opponents, the state Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, did not appear to raise any money to campaign against the proposition.

Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024