If something is predominant, it is more important or noticeable than anything else in a set of people or things.
Amanda's predominant emotion was that of confusion.
Synonyms: main, chief, prevailing, notable More Synonyms of predominant
More Synonyms of predominant
predominant in British English
(prɪˈdɒmɪnənt)
adjective
1.
having superiority in power, influence, etc, over others
2.
prevailing; prominent
Derived forms
predominance (preˈdominance) or predominancy (preˈdominancy)
noun
predominant in American English
(priˈdɑmənənt; prɪˈdɑmənənt)
adjective
1.
having ascendancy, authority, or dominating influence over others; superior
2.
most frequent, noticeable, etc.; prevailing; preponderant
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈdominant
Derived forms
predominance (preˈdominance)
noun or preˈdominancyWord forms: pluralpreˈdominancies
predominantly (preˈdominantly)
adverb
Word origin
Fr prédominant < ML predominans, prp. of predominari: see pre- & dominant
Examples of 'predominant' in a sentence
predominant
There is always an element of mystery about why one form of a sport becomes predominant.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In addition, women took a predominant role in subsistence activities.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
The cost of remaining the world's predominant power is not prohibitive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We value certain buildings for their ability to rebalance our misshapen natures and encourage emotions which our predominant commitments force us to sacrifice.
Christianity Today (2000)
They will rapidly replace the susceptible strains to become the predominant form within the body's overall bacterial population.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The former England manager divides opinions in his homeland but the predominant emotions were sympathy and a degree of bemusement.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Attacking it from another angle, there are physical ways of moving that signal the character of the person and his predominant emotions.
Bain, Roly Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)
Does it not seem strange that arguably the most predominant form - blues music - is persistently ignored?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The political influence of the farming lobby has been a predominant influence in land-use planning in postwar Britain.
Cloke, Paul J (ed) Rural Land-Use Planning in Developed Nations (1989)
Indeed, they doubt whether it can afford to continue playing in any part of the world the predominant role that it has played in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Reading and writing did not become the predominant method of sharing information until thespread of universal compulsory schooling, which is much more recent than printing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In Turkmenistan, the predominant colour is green and the look is topped off with a natty beret and biker boots.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The theme of aviation, the macho thrill and physical danger of flight and speed, and the engagement with technology are predominant themes.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
In other languages
predominant
British English: predominant ADJECTIVE
If something is predominant, it is more important or noticeable than anything else in a set of people or things.
Her predominant emotion was confusion.
American English: predominant
Brazilian Portuguese: predominante
Chinese: 主导性的
European Spanish: predominante
French: prédominant
German: vorherrschend
Italian: predominante
Japanese: 支配的な
Korean: 우세한
European Portuguese: predominante
Latin American Spanish: predominante
1 (adjective)
Definition
being more important or noticeable than others
Amanda's predominant emotion was one of confusion.
Synonyms
main
My main concern now is to protect the children.
chief
Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.
The job went to one of his chief rivals.
prevailing
the prevailing weather conditions in the area
notable
paramount
The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.
prevalent
preponderant
2 (adjective)
Definition
being more important or noticeable than others
He played a predominant role in shaping French economic policy.
Synonyms
principal
Their principal concern is that of winning the next election.
leading
Britain's future as a leading industrial nation depends on investment.
important
an important economic challenge to the government
prime
Political stability is a prime concern.
controlling
ruling
a ruling passion for liberty and equality
chief
capital
primary
His primary aim in life is to be happy.
supreme
He proposes to make himself the supreme overlord.
prominent
a prominent member of the Law Society
superior
She was greatly superior in education.
dominant
She was a dominant figure in the film industry.
sovereign
No contract can absolutely restrain a sovereign power.
top-priority
ascendant
Radical reformers are once more ascendant.
Opposites
minor
,
secondary
, subordinate,
inferior
,
unimportant
,
uninfluential
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ascendant
Definition
dominant or influential
Radical reformers are once more ascendant.
Synonyms
influential,
controlling,
ruling,
powerful,
commanding,
supreme,
superior,
dominant,
prevailing,
authoritative,
predominant,
uppermost,
pre-eminent
in the sense of capital
Synonyms
principal,
leading,
controlling,
major,
important,
chief,
main,
prime,
central,
essential,
primary,
vital,
prominent,
cardinal,
paramount,
foremost,
overruling,
pre-eminent
in the sense of chief
Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.The job went to one of his chief rivals.
Synonyms
primary,
highest,
leading,
main,
prime,
capital,
central,
key,
essential,
premier,
supreme,
most important,
outstanding,
principal,
prevailing,
cardinal,
paramount,
big-time (informal),
foremost,
major league (informal),
predominant,
uppermost,
pre-eminent,
especial
Synonyms of 'predominant'
predominant
Explore 'predominant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dominant
Definition
main or chief
She was a dominant figure in the film industry.
Synonyms
main,
chief,
primary,
outstanding,
principal,
prominent,
influential,
prevailing,
paramount,
prevalent,
predominant,
pre-eminent
in the sense of important
Definition
of great significance, value, or consequence
an important economic challenge to the government
Synonyms
significant,
critical,
substantial,
grave,
urgent,
serious,
material,
signal,
primary,
meaningful,
far-reaching,
momentous,
seminal,
weighty,
of substance,
salient,
noteworthy
in the sense of leading
Definition
principal or primary
Britain's future as a leading industrial nation depends on investment.
Synonyms
principal,
top,
major,
main,
first,
highest,
greatest,
ruling,
chief,
prime,
key,
primary,
supreme,
most important,
outstanding,
governing,
superior,
dominant,
foremost,
pre-eminent,
unsurpassed,
number one
in the sense of paramount
Definition
of the greatest importance
The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.
Synonyms
principal,
prime,
first,
chief,
main,
capital,
primary,
supreme,
outstanding,
superior,
dominant,
cardinal,
foremost,
eminent,
predominant,
pre-eminent
in the sense of prevailing
Definition
most usual
the prevailing weather conditions in the area
Synonyms
predominating,
ruling,
main,
existing,
principal,
operative
in the sense of primary
Definition
first in importance
His primary aim in life is to be happy.
Synonyms
chief,
leading,
main,
best,
first,
highest,
greatest,
top,
prime,
capital,
principal,
dominant,
cardinal,
paramount
in the sense of prime
Definition
first in importance
Political stability is a prime concern.
Synonyms
main,
leading,
chief,
central,
major,
ruling,
key,
senior,
primary,
supreme,
principal,
ultimate,
cardinal,
paramount,
overriding,
foremost,
predominant,
pre-eminent,
number-one (informal)
in the sense of prominent
Definition
widely known
a prominent member of the Law Society
Synonyms
famous,
leading,
top,
chief,
important,
main,
noted,
popular,
respected,
celebrated,
outstanding,
distinguished,
well-known,
notable,
renowned,
big-time (informal),
foremost,
eminent,
major league (informal),
pre-eminent,
well-thought-of
in the sense of ruling
Definition
predominant
a ruling passion for liberty and equality
Synonyms
predominant,
dominant,
prevailing,
preponderant,
chief,
main,
current,
supreme,
principal,
prevalent,
pre-eminent,
regnant
in the sense of sovereign
Definition
supreme in rank or authority
No contract can absolutely restrain a sovereign power.