dominate
verb
dom·i·nate ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 
dominated; dominating
transitive verb
1
: rule, control
an empire that dominated the world
2
: to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on
the ambition that has dominated his life
3
: to overlook from a superior elevation or command because of superior height or position
a hill that dominates the town
4
a
: to be predominant in
sugar maples dominate the forest
b
: to have a commanding or preeminent place or position in
name brands dominate the market
intransitive verb
1
: to have or exert mastery, control, or preeminence
his desire to dominate
a dominating factor in industrial growth
2
: to occupy a more elevated or superior position
dominative
ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tiv
adjective dominator
ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- conquer
- overpower
- pacify
- subdue
- subject
- subjugate
- subordinate
- vanquish
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
One company has dominated the market for years. He dominated her life for many years. His work dominated the art scene last year. Our team dominated throughout the game. Our team dominated play throughout the game.
Recent Examples on the Web If the o-line can dominate, the Tigers can establish the run, which opens up play-action passes for starting quarterback T.J. Finley and Ashford. 
Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2022 Pop culture is filled with pure moments of glee, but some really unfortunate events can also dominate headlines — legal battles, deaths, scandals. Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2022 From the secluded Schloss Elmau hotel in the Bavarian Alps, the G-7 leaders will move to Madrid for a summit of NATO leaders, where fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will again dominate the agenda. Geir Moulson, Zeke Miller, Anchorage Daily News, 28 June 2022 Yes, the Heat have scoring options, but unlike Curry, Thompson, Tatum and Brown, not necessarily the types who can dominate the offense. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2022 And his start at Great American Ball Park was a reminder of much his fastball alone can dominate hitters. Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 9 June 2022 One area of business where women dominate the statistics is a sector of the publishing industry. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The Nuggets have beaten the Warriors in three out of four regular-season matchups and Jokic can dominate against anyone. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2022 People of color are also less likely to be looking for rents in smaller and cheaper rural markets, where white renters dominate. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2022 See More
Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2022 Pop culture is filled with pure moments of glee, but some really unfortunate events can also dominate headlines — legal battles, deaths, scandals. Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2022 From the secluded Schloss Elmau hotel in the Bavarian Alps, the G-7 leaders will move to Madrid for a summit of NATO leaders, where fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will again dominate the agenda. Geir Moulson, Zeke Miller, Anchorage Daily News, 28 June 2022 Yes, the Heat have scoring options, but unlike Curry, Thompson, Tatum and Brown, not necessarily the types who can dominate the offense. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2022 And his start at Great American Ball Park was a reminder of much his fastball alone can dominate hitters. Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 9 June 2022 One area of business where women dominate the statistics is a sector of the publishing industry. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The Nuggets have beaten the Warriors in three out of four regular-season matchups and Jokic can dominate against anyone. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2022 People of color are also less likely to be looking for rents in smaller and cheaper rural markets, where white renters dominate. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin dominatus, past participle of dominari, from dominus master; akin to Latin domus house — more at dome
First Known Use
1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
dominate
verb
dom·i·nate ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt
dominated; dominating
: to have a commanding position or controlling power over
The mountain dominates the landscape.
dominator
noun
as in ruler
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ruler
- subjugator
- champ
- champion
- conqueror
- overdog
- placer
- victor
- top dog
- vanquisher
- subduer
- beater
- whipper
- finalist
- master
- winner
- trimmer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loser
- pushover
- quitter
- failure
- underdog
- washout
- flop
- punching bag