dominant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dominant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, group, or idea that is more powerful or influential than others. For example: "The dominant faction in this political debate is pushing for aggressive policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, if it was not designed with lucrative corporate functions in mind, would it need to be quite so dominant?

The Guardian - Arts

In Scotland (where the history and devolution settlement are, of course, very different) the nationalists have become the dominant party.

The Guardian

The dominant narrative shaping this election – that it was neck-and-neck between Labour and the Conservatives and that a coalition deal was the most likely electoral outcome – turned out to be plain wrong.

The Guardian

No mission to tilt us to armed neutrality, which is the only alternative to a treaty relationship with the world's, the region's, dominant maritime power.

The Guardian

After the restoration of democracy in 1999, Buhari fought and lost three elections, including in 2011 against Goodluck Jonathan of the dominant Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

The Guardian

Related: Four Americans held in Yemen by Houthi rebels – report Senior figures from Yemen's dominant Houthi group are holding talks with US officials in Oman to advance efforts to resolve the conflict in Yemen, the Riyadh-based Yemeni government said on Sunday.

The Guardian

She quotes Oscar Wilde – "The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it" – and, she adds, "He really was the person in a position to say that – he knew that history had to be remade, because only certain narratives deliver themselves as acceptable, dominant narratives".

The Guardian - Books

The delegates' enthusiasm for uniting with the dominant political force south of the border followed months of speculation about a possible link-up between the two parties.

The Guardian

A third dominant characteristic, probably linked with his provincialism and his romanticism, made itself felt.

The Guardian

The dominant view among NUM leaders and activists was that to call a national ballot after the strike had already drawn in the overwhelming majority would have been seen as a get-out, and invited a no vote.

The Guardian

Between them, the two dominant political parties (People's party and Socialist party) lost five million votes compared with their 2009 performance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend or characteristic, choose "dominant" if you wish to emphasize the prevalence and control this trend or characteristic exerts.

Common error

Avoid using "dominant" when describing minor differences or preferences. It's best reserved for situations where the power or influence is substantial and demonstrable.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "dominant" primarily functions to describe a noun as having or exerting control, influence, or prevalence. It signifies a position of power or a leading role within a specific context, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "dominant" is widely used to describe something or someone that holds a position of power, influence, or prevalence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, notably in news, sports, and politics. When using "dominant", it's important to consider its connotations of control and influence, and to avoid overstating its application to minor differences. Alternatives like "prevailing" or "predominant" may be more suitable depending on the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "dominant" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailing

Focuses on the widespread acceptance or existence of something.

predominant

Emphasizes being most frequent or common.

ruling

Highlights the act of governing or controlling.

controlling

Stresses the power to direct or influence behavior.

ascendant

Suggests a rising or increasing power or influence.

hegemonic

Implies leadership or dominance, often in a political context.

supreme

Indicates the highest level of authority or power.

principal

Highlights the foremost or most important element.

chief

Focuses on the leading or most significant aspect.

paramount

Emphasizes ultimate importance or superiority.

FAQs

How can I use "dominant" in a sentence?

You can use "dominant" to describe something that has power or influence over others, such as "The "dominant species" in this ecosystem is the wolf" or "The "dominant political party" won the election".

What are some alternatives to using "dominant"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "prevailing", "predominant", "ruling", or "controlling".

Is it correct to say "the most dominant"?

While grammatically correct, "the most dominant" can sometimes sound redundant. Consider using "dominant" alone or rephrasing to emphasize the degree of dominance, like "the overwhelmingly dominant force".

What is the difference between "dominant" and "domineering"?

"Dominant" generally implies having power or influence, while "domineering" suggests exercising control in an overbearing or oppressive manner. "Dominant" is more neutral, whereas "domineering" carries a negative connotation.