assert dominion

USAGE SUMMARY

"assert dominion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person or group asserting their rightful authority or control over a particular territory, entity, or situation. It can also refer to exerting power or influence over others. Here is an example: "After years of colonization and exploitation, the indigenous people finally rose up to assert dominion over their ancestral lands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As Scotland move ever closer towards independence, this bulky compendium suggests that it was a big mistake to assert dominion over a land so well stocked with spooks, witches and demons.

Independent

Sara, formidable and domineering, had seen to the installation of connecting doors to the second-floor drawing room and the childrens' bedrooms on the fourth floor, allowing her to assert dominion over the fledgling household.

The New York Times

Police violence is seen throughout, in unjustified and brutal stops of black men guilty of nothing — essentially, charged with standing while black — when the police, without arresting them, proceed to handcuff them, beat them, insult them with racist epithets, intimidate them, and assert dominion over them.

The New Yorker

As U.S. officialdom has already noted with some alarm, China is aggressively seeking to assert dominion over the South China Sea between it and Japan and the Philippines.

Huffington Post

The Burger King is, of course, immune to the laws of mortal men like Barack, so Barry's scolding finger-wagging is not likely to prevent the almighty Hamburger Lord from touching down on Canadian soil, to assert dominion over all of the double-doubles and Timbits.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Hoover "boldly asserted dominion over the entire food chain in America," Whyte tells us.

The New Yorker

Annual closings are how modern owners assert their dominion.

The New York Times

Annual closings are how modern owners assert their dominion (as opposed, say, to killing someone's sheep, or hauling him up before the folkmoot assembly).

The New York Times

At the time of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini was the most vocal proponent among the senior Shia clerics of velayat-e faqih, while he was opposed at the time by his peer and rival Ayatollah Abul-Qassim Khoi, who disagreed with that interpretation of Islamic law, and dissented from the urge to assert clerical dominion over civil society.

Huffington Post

The Obama Administration, in other words, had been left with one argument an argument that undermined states' rights and asserted federal dominion in order to shore up a position that it didn't want to defend on substantive grounds.

The New Yorker

It is to assert ultimate Israeli dominion over this Palestinian land.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assert dominion" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and often formal act of claiming authority or control over something. This phrase works well in historical, political, or strategic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "assert dominion" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even pompous in contexts that don't require such a strong emphasis on authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assert dominion" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically used to describe the act of claiming or exercising authority. It is a declarative statement, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assert dominion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of claiming or exercising authority. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase carries a formal tone and is best suited for academic, political, or historical contexts. While it effectively conveys a sense of power and control, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly pompous in informal settings. Alternative phrases like "establish dominance" or "exert control" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish dominance

Replaces "assert dominion" with synonyms for both "assert" and "dominion", focusing on the act of establishing control.

exert control

This alternative uses a more common verb, "exert", and a more general noun, "control", maintaining the core meaning.

exercise authority

Swaps "assert dominion" for "exercise authority", emphasizing the legitimate power being used.

impose rule

This phrase highlights the forceful implementation of control, suggesting a more authoritarian approach.

take command

Focuses on the act of assuming leadership and control, often in a specific situation.

establish supremacy

Emphasizes a position of being superior in power or authority.

gain control

Focuses on the process of acquiring control, rather than the act of asserting it.

dominate

A single verb that encapsulates the meaning of "assert dominion", but can be less formal.

seize power

Implies a sudden or forceful acquisition of control, often through illegitimate means.

assume control

Suggests taking responsibility and power, but without necessarily implying a struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "assert dominion" in a sentence?

You can use "assert dominion" to describe a person or group claiming authority or control, as in "The king sought to assert dominion over neighboring territories".

What are some alternatives to "assert dominion"?

Alternatives include "establish dominance", "exert control", or "exercise authority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "assert dominion" formal or informal?

"Assert dominion" is a relatively formal phrase, best suited for academic, political, or historical writing rather than casual conversation.

What's the difference between "assert dominion" and "gain control"?

"Assert dominion" implies a declaration or active claim of existing authority, while "gain control" suggests the process of acquiring power or authority.