enforce dominance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enforce dominance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing power dynamics, control, or authority in various situations, such as politics, business, or social interactions. Example: "The new policy aims to enforce dominance over the market by eliminating competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when they enforce their dominance with violence -- and spanking is violence -- it telegraphs the message that violence is both acceptable and effective.

The New York Times

Some suggest that women's economic and social empowerment is associated with an increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), arguably because men use often IPV to enforce their dominance and reassert inegalitarian gender norms when patriarchal norms are challenged; other studies suggest the converse.

World Development

They believe that their territory is being eaten up by Israel's appetite for land, and loath what they see as a national ideology designed to enforce the dominance of Israel and Judaism.

BBC

It also provides the two nations with technology but, unknown to them, has dishonorable intentions, to preserve the status quo and enforce its dominance of both sides.

Wikipedia

It's not often that we come across such a sweeping generalization, one that hilariously ignores any social or economic systems that enforce male dominance in art and beyond.

Huffington Post

While lunging a suborn horse, you need to enforce your dominance.

WikiHow

This is a time during which you must most strongly enforce your dominance over your pet.

WikiHow

Whether they realize it or not, white people in the United States benefit from centuries of enforced white dominance.

The Washington Post

Rutherford was instead given the opportunity to take an easy single, at exactly the point when England should have been attacking hard, applying pressure, enforcing their dominance.

BBC

Exclusive Dealing to Shut Out Competing Search Providers: Google is accused of enforcing its dominance in search by imposing exclusivity restrictions in dealings with advertising partners, such as third party websites and PC manufacturers.

HuffPost

In a speech on Monday to the World Policy Conference in Évian, France, the Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, called for a new global security framework that would challenge the United States' "determination to enforce its global dominance".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing power dynamics, use "enforce dominance" to describe actions taken to maintain or strengthen control over a situation, group, or market.

Common error

While "enforce dominance" is valid, it can sound overly formal or aggressive in casual conversation. Choose milder alternatives like "assert influence" or "take charge" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enforce dominance" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to maintain or strengthen control. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe the act of actively ensuring power or authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enforce dominance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, which signifies the active maintenance or strengthening of control. It appears most frequently in news and media, wiki, and science contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral or professional registers, rather than informal settings. Consider alternatives like "assert control", "maintain power", or "impose authority" to nuance your meaning, as suggested. Using "enforce dominance" effectively involves understanding its connotations of active control and choosing contexts where this level of emphasis is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert control

Focuses on taking control more actively.

maintain power

Emphasizes the continuation of existing power.

impose authority

Highlights the act of using authority to control.

exert influence

Implies a more subtle form of control through influence.

exercise control

Similar to "assert control" but can imply ongoing management.

establish supremacy

Focuses on creating a position of ultimate power.

dominate completely

Uses "dominate" as a verb and adds emphasis.

ensure compliance

Focuses on making others follow rules or orders.

uphold authority

Stresses the maintenance and defense of authority.

consolidate power

Implies strengthening existing power to prevent challenges.

FAQs

What does "enforce dominance" mean?

The phrase "enforce dominance" means to actively ensure control, authority, or power is maintained and obeyed, often through specific actions or policies.

How can I use "enforce dominance" in a sentence?

You can use "enforce dominance" to describe situations where someone or something is actively maintaining control, such as "The government used propaganda to enforce its dominance over the population."

What are some alternatives to "enforce dominance"?

Alternatives to "enforce dominance" include "assert control", "maintain power", or "impose authority", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "enforce dominance" or "exercise dominance"?

Both phrases are correct, but "enforce dominance" implies a more active and assertive effort to maintain control, while "exercise dominance" can suggest a more passive or inherent authority.