dominant

Stronger or more powerful than others in the same group.

• They are the dominant team.
• One company became dominant in the industry.
• The dominant male keeps other males away.

How to use it: dominant in something (The company is dominant in the local market.)

Similar words: powerful, leading

Opposites: subordinate

Common phrases: dominant position, dominant force, dominant company

More common, noticeable, or important than anything else.

• Blue is the dominant colour.
• Fear became the dominant theme of her novels.
• Pine trees are dominant in this forest.

Similar words: main, predominant, prevailing

Common phrases: dominant colour, dominant theme, dominant species

Having control over others or deciding what happens.

• The dominant party controls parliament.
• A small group remained dominant for decades.
• The dominant culture shaped the country’s laws.

Similar words: ruling, governing

Opposites: subordinate

Common phrases: dominant party, dominant class, dominant role

The fifth note in a musical scale, counted from its starting note.

• G is the dominant in C major.
• The melody rises to the dominant.
• These scales have different dominants.

Common phrases: the dominant, dominant of something, move to dominant