preponderant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word preponderant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of preponderant are dominant, paramount, and predominant. While all these words mean "superior to all others in influence or importance," preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect.

preponderant evidence in her favor

In what contexts can dominant take the place of preponderant?

In some situations, the words dominant and preponderant are roughly equivalent. However, dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling.

a dominant social class

When is it sensible to use paramount instead of preponderant?

The meanings of paramount and preponderant largely overlap; however, paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction.

unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign

When would predominant be a good substitute for preponderant?

Although the words predominant and preponderant have much in common, predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence.

a predominant emotion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preponderant Market value was preponderant in determining the value of the piece of land that the state deemed worthy of expropriating. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 But the preponderant migrants’ motivation has been, and continues to be, to provide a better life for their families. Bill Gray, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025 With preponderant influence in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, Iran is the regional power that has best been able to take advantage of the crisis in the Middle East. F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 Or, even preponderant effect, seeing as how there will be dilution of the genetic signal along the wave of advance. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2010 In some regions, obviously Europe itself, but in much of North America, southern South America, parts of southern Africa, and Australia and New Zealand, people of European descent became demographically preponderant. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2012 The relevance and recent growth of regional Mexican music has become undeniable, and today, the genre holds a preponderant place within the industry. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2023 But last week in PLoS ONE a paper looking at the patterns of ancestry in the Brazilian population came to a somewhat inverseconclusion as to the self-conception or perception of the preponderant racial identity of that nation. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2011 Our prior expectation should be that the admixture is non-trivial, though not preponderant. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preponderant
Adjective
  • One of the most dominant forces in the chip industry is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which manufactures the chips that power phones and laptops and are central to the output of key American AI players like NVIDIA.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This spring, Avila touched 98 mph in a game and Sisk was dominant with Triple-A Omaha.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to this article The Chicago Blackhawks’ first practice since the NHL took a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off looked more like a series of training camp drills than a typical midseason session.
    Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
  • While those early performances cemented his status as the typical dorky average-Joe teen, Hall evolved into a versatile actor who has played heroes, villains, and everything in between.
    Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The predominant flavors are salt and starch, unattractive in print but deeply comforting on a steaming spoon.
    Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Miso is a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking and is the predominant flavor in things like miso soup.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • However, with many global team managers based in the U.S., the lack of representative teams risks stalling progress.
    Sheilla Mamona, refinery29.com, 18 Feb. 2025
  • This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll from January 30th to February 1st, 2025, among a nationally representative sample of 2,108 U.S. adults.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Preponderant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preponderant. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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