assert dominance over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assert dominance over" is correct and used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a person or group using their power, either real or perceived, to control a situation or other people. For example, "The company asserted its dominance over its competitors by offering more competitive prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I gave birth to three grown men!" I've seen production of this piece that have felt like porn as Ruth assert dominance over the men's crude misogynistic gambits and consents to stay as a mother-figure who will also go on the game in Soho.

Independent

A major plus is the two player mode, which is great for those alpha males who want to assert dominance over challengers.

TechCrunch

It will fly about and confront another male to repel it, or to assert dominance over a female.

Wikipedia

I imagined 15 different liquids sloshing around in my stomach, little bacterial navies firing tiny protoplasmic cannons in a micro-campaign to assert dominance over my insides.

Vice

Supporters of lynching justified the practice as a way to assert dominance over African Americans, to whom they attributed a criminal nature.

Wikipedia

Now hip-hop is all about competition, and rappers often make some very low blows in trying to assert dominance over one another.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Fox especially has asserted dominance over CNN in the ratings.

The New York Times

Within months the Provisional I.R.A. was born and asserted dominance over the old Official I.R.A.

The New York Times

A mug shot doesn't simply provide information, it lures us into a drama in which we are given an intimate, Leviathan's-eye view of the state asserting dominance over an individual.

The New Yorker

Senior minister at the Coulsdon Christian Fellowship, he's an advocate of Christian Domestic Discipline (CDD), a practice that advocates husbands asserting dominance over their wives using corporal punishment.

Vice

One could say that the scourge of segregation was a national policy of bullying; the institutionalized grandiosity of one group asserting dominance over another simply because it could.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "assert dominance over" when describing situations where one entity actively tries to gain a position of control or superiority. Be mindful of the context to avoid implications of aggression or unethical behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "assert dominance over" when a more neutral term like "establish leadership" or "take control" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a connotation of forcefulness that isn't always suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assert dominance over" functions as a verb phrase that signifies an active effort to establish or demonstrate control or superiority in a given context. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used in varied examples from news articles to academic analyses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assert dominance over" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions taken to establish or maintain control. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and wikis. While the phrase itself is neutral, the context in which it's used can influence its tone, potentially implying aggression or unethical behavior. When writing, consider alternatives like "maintain dominance over" or "establish control over" to better convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain dominance over

Focuses on preserving existing control rather than establishing it.

establish dominance over

Emphasizes the act of creating a position of control.

exert dominance over

Highlights the active application of power to control.

assert supremacy over

Suggests an ultimate, unchallenged level of control.

assert control over

A more general term for exercising power.

claim dominance over

Implies a declaration of control, which may be contested.

assert leadership over

Implies guiding and directing, rather than overpowering.

assert dominion over

Suggests absolute ownership and control, often in a formal sense.

assert authority over

Highlights the legitimacy and right to control.

assert primacy over

Indicates being first or foremost in importance or rank.

FAQs

How can I use "assert dominance over" in a sentence?

You can use "assert dominance over" to describe a situation where someone is actively trying to gain power or control, as in, "The company tried to "assert dominance over" the market through aggressive pricing."

What are some alternatives to "assert dominance over"?

Alternatives include "maintain dominance over", "establish dominance over", or "exert control over", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "assert dominance over" always negative?

While "assert dominance over" can imply aggression or forcefulness, it isn't inherently negative. It can simply describe the act of gaining control, though the context often determines the overall tone.

What's the difference between "assert dominance over" and "assert leadership over"?

"Assert dominance over" suggests gaining control, possibly through force or manipulation, while "assert leadership over" implies guiding and directing, focusing on influence and guidance rather than overpowering.