preponderate
1 of 2verb
pre·pon·der·ate pri-ˈpän-də-ˌrāt 
preponderated; preponderating
intransitive verb
1
: to exceed in weight
2
: to exceed in influence, power, or importance
3
: to exceed in numbers
transitive verb
1
archaic : outweigh
2
archaic : to weigh down
preponderation
pri-ˌpän-də-ˈrā-shən ˌprē-
noun ˌprē- preponderate
2 of 2adjective
pre·pon·der·ate pri-ˈpän-də-rət
: preponderant
preponderately adverb
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2018
Verb
Representation has preponderated in the medium to such an extent that its hold has seemed complete. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2018 Word History
Etymology
Verb
Latin praeponderatus, past participle of praeponderare, from prae- + ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant
First Known Use
Verb
circa 1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Adjective
1818, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
preponderate
intransitive verb
pre·pon·der·ate pri-ˈpän-də-ˌrāt
preponderated; preponderating
: to have greater credibility or convincing weight : have an outweighing effect
the evidence either was evenly balanced or preponderated in favor of the state Weston v. State, 682 P.2d 1119 (1984)
Weston v. State, 682 P.2d 1119 (1984)such evidence preponderates against the board's decision