dominion

noun

də-ˈmi-nyən How to pronounce dominion (audio)
Definition of dominionnext
1
as in domination
controlling power or influence over others in the Bible, man is given dominion over all the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in power
the right or means to command or control others was granted dominion over the household servants

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun dominion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dominion are authority, command, control, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When might authority be a better fit than dominion?

While the synonyms authority and dominion are close in meaning, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When could command be used to replace dominion?

The words command and dominion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When can control be used instead of dominion?

Although the words control and dominion have much in common, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

Where would jurisdiction be a reasonable alternative to dominion?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and dominion are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is power a more appropriate choice than dominion?

The words power and dominion can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When would sway be a good substitute for dominion?

The synonyms sway and dominion are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 dominion Reclaiming our attention is a means of reclaiming our dominion over ourselves. —Stuart Miller, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025 The Recording Academy can’t deny the dominion of Brat. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2025 And politics is ambition expressed in its purest form, as dominion over others. —Alexander Nazaryan, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 In the superfund law New York claims dominion over global petroleum production. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dominion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion
  1. domination
  2. power
  3. dominance
  4. control
  5. sovereignty
  6. sway
  7. supremacy
  8. reign
Noun
  • While Inside Out 2 is unlikely to become a third, there seems to be a rising tension between box office domination and awards.
    — Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • How historic, ultimately, is Lamar’s domination of this week’s chart?
    — Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of domination
Noun
  • That power is vested in prosecutors as executive branch officials.
    — Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Her lung power seems surprisingly undiminished, and the same goes for her sense of pitch.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • Adding Xiaomi to the mix only extends its dominance.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Will Wolves continue their dominance, or can Fulham spoil the party at Molineux?
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of dominance
Noun
  • Brooklyn also reacquired control of its 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets over the summer — a move that seemed to indicate the Nets expected to be picking high.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Instead, the accident was the most significant technical setback for the Starship program since the first full-scale test flight in 2023, which damaged the launch pad before the rocket spun out of control in the upper atmosphere.
    — Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • Emerging technologies like generative AI are powerfully transformative but demand resilient infrastructure capable of adapting to the evolving data sovereignty landscape.
    — Hans Dekkers, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • President Trump celebrated our military, our sovereignty, our heroes, and a young child battling terminal cancer—symbols of the strength and resilience that define this nation.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • More evidence that Porsche is a rare car company in which the engineers have tremendous sway?
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • If Adams’ dismissal motion were to succeed, the Justice Department would theoretically have no sway over him.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of sway
Noun
  • When whatever system of government, likely some supremacy, is threatened, people will do anything.
    — Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The United States would remain capable of rallying a counterbalancing coalition to impede any potential Chinese bid for political and military supremacy in Asia.
    — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of supremacy
Noun
  • The prequel series tells the tragedy of the creation of Darth Vader, setting up his evil reign alongside Emperor Palpatine (portrayed by Ian McDiarmid) in the original trilogy of Star Wars films.
    — Mark Hughes, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But like all evil, the reign of the KKK in Anaheim eventually ended.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of reign

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“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dominion

Nglish: Translation of dominion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dominion

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