Dominate

/ˈdɑ.məˌneɪt/ adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The late period of the Roman Empire, following the principate, during which the emperor's rule became more explicitly autocratic and remaining vestiges of the Roman Republic were removed from the formal workings of government; the reign of any particular emperor during this period.
  • Grammar: dominate is listed as adj, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: command, predominate, monopolize, be in.
  • Useful contrasts: alternate number, chairs, moderates.
  • Usage evidence: As communism has collapsed, capitalism is now accused of trying to "dominate the world."

How to use "dominate"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dominate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dominate" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dominate" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dominate" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "dominate" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "command" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "dominate", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The late period of the Roman Empire, following the principate, during which the emperor's rule became more explicitly autocratic and remaining vestiges of the Roman Republic were removed from the formal workings of government; the reign of any particular emperor during this period. countable, historical, uncountable

    "During the Dominate this tendency was perfected to the point of dirigism in the modern sense, a state-directed society and state-controlled economy, obliterating, once again a prelude to modern times, the laissez-faire climate that had characterized the economic self-determination of the individual under the republic and the Principate."

Verb
  1. 1
    To govern, rule or control by superior authority or power

    "The title of this article evokes memories of the beginning of World War II and reveals one method dictators use to increase their power. In China’s case, Xi Jinping’s Anschluss of Hong Kong in June 2020 fits nicely with the way Hitler began his initial European expansion strategy, called Lebensraum (living space). In Zweites Buch, Hitler said that to dominate the world, Germany must expand its borders and areas it controls. The first way to start achieving Lebensraum would be through Anschluss — the unification of Austria and Germany. Further, he envisioned an expansion that would include Poland, Czechoslovakia, the rest of Europe and Russia."

  2. 2
    have dominance or the power to defeat over wordnet
  3. 3
    To exert an overwhelming guiding influence over something or someone

    "THE THREE DOMINANT FORMS IN METALSMITHING […] At present, there are but three basic volumetric forms dominating the work of metalsmiths, the spherical (usually in its most practical form, the domical), the cylindrical, and the cubical. […] The possibilities for further variations on them are all but exhausted, there being little chance to express new and unusual ideas within the framework of such limited choices. As a result, much of twentieth-century metalsmithing has relied on surface enrichment rather than formal development for its originality."

  4. 4
    be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance wordnet
  5. 5
    To enjoy a commanding position in some field

    "Individual mistakes proved costly for Wigan who, particularly after the half-time introduction of Hugo Rodallega, dominated for long periods."

Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    be in control wordnet
  2. 7
    To overlook from a height.

    "Our arrival at Worcester is heralded by the appearance of the city's cathedral tower, a solid square structure that's dominated the skyline since the 12th century."

  3. 8
    look down on wordnet
  4. 9
    To precede another node of a directed graph in all paths from the start of the graph to the other node.
  5. 10
    be greater in significance than wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Dominant.

    "From the middle of June in 1913 and the first of July in 1914, it became the dominate species, forming 90 per cent. or more of the fauna, and remained so until the end of the season."

Synonyms

All synonyms
commandpredominatemonopolizebe inbe in forcebe the rage

Antonyms

alternate numberchairsmoderatesteacher led discussion

Example

"As communism has collapsed, capitalism is now accused of trying to "dominate the world.""

Common questions

What does "dominate" mean?

The late period of the Roman Empire, following the principate, during which the emperor's rule became more explicitly autocratic and remaining vestiges of the Roman Republic were removed from the formal workings of government; the reign of any particular emperor during this period.

What is a synonym for "dominate"?

Common synonyms include: command, predominate, monopolize, be in, be in force, be the rage.

How do you use "dominate" in a sentence?

As communism has collapsed, capitalism is now accused of trying to "dominate the world."

How do you pronounce "dominate"?

Pronounced /ˈdɑ.məˌneɪt/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Latin dominātus, perfect active participle of dominor (“to rule, have dominion”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from dominus (“lord, master”) + -or (verb-forming suffix).

Etymology 2

Ultimately from Latin dominor (“rule, have dominion”), either from Latin dominātus, the perfect active participle of dominor (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), or via phonetic alteration of the synonym dominant, from Latin domināns, the present active participle of the same. Compare the pairs predominate / predominant and obstinate / obstinant.

Etymology 3

Borrowed from Latin dominātus (“rule, command”), from dominus + -ātus, see -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office, a regime handled by people of such rank).

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