Dominate Meaning and Definition
Dominate
Pronunciation
/dəˈməteɪn/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To exert dominant influence or control over something or someone.
Examples
- The dominant ideology dictates what is acceptable behavior.
- The new CEO aims to dominate the market with innovative products.
Synonyms
- Control
- Govern
- Supremacy
Antonyms
- Subjugate
- Subordinate
- yield
Etymology
The word “dominate” originates from the Latin “dominatus,” meaning “to have power or authority over something.” From the 14th century, the verb formed from the Latin and Old French, became a popular term in English, and has remained so.
Usage Notes
Dominate can be used in various contexts, such as politics, business, or personal relationships. When used to describe a person or group’s influence over another, care should be taken not to conflate domination with control or coercion.
Cultural References
Dominate has appeared in various forms of media, such as in the song “Dominate” by Nine Inch Nails, and in the phrase “Dominate the Day” from the video game “Starbound.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Expressions like “to dominate the agenda” or “to dominate the conversation” illustrate the verb’s connotations of influence and authority.
Related Words or Phrases
Terms like “ascendancy,” “hegemony,” and “supremacy” share semantic similarities with dominate. The phrases “have the upper hand” or “be in control” also convey similar undertones of power.
Collocations
Common word combinations include “dominate the market,” “dominate the conversation,” or “dominate the competition.” The verb often collocates with nouns like “market,” “media,” or “community.”
Frequency of Use
According to various corpus analyses, “dominate” is a relatively common verb in modern English, particularly in business and academic contexts.
Common Misspellings
Misspellings can include “domentate,” “domenate,” or “dominat.” These variations often result from typographical errors or phonetic misrenderings.