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 In a place built on stretching human limitations, where people exert dominion over everything from fertility to outer space, even turning mortality into a business opportunity, the divine has seemed, to some, obsolete. —Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025 Kanye West goes on another antisemitic rant, defends Diddy, declares ‘dominion’ over wife. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 Dramatically, the buildup to this state of unchecked dominion is more taut than the fallout, largely because Grabowsky’s fine, watchful performance contributes much of the tension as Rakel’s sheer powerlessness begins to dawn on her. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025 Reclaiming our attention is a means of reclaiming our dominion over ourselves. —Stuart Miller, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 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
  • Kosuke Koyama critiqued Western domination in Asia by aligning contemporary imperialists with Pharaoh, reinforcing Exodus as a revolutionary call to resist subjugation.
    — Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Mustang’s Boss won the Trans-Am championship in 1970—with Parnelli Jones at the wheel—powered by the Bud Moore racing team, further reinforcing the legacy of Ford’s iconic pony car, established with Carroll Shelby’s domination of the SCCA B Production class by the Shelby G.T.350 in 1965.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of domination
Noun
  • Hugo saw that something as simple as shoes could be solved with the right approach and insights, cementing his belief in the power of technology to solve real-world problems.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Skilled project leaders are needed to combine their technical skill set (project management tools like Trello and Asana) with power skills like leadership, stakeholder management, and problem-solving.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • Linkin Park continues to prove its dominance at rock radio decades after the first hit was produced.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In the following months, Modi’s government introduced a series of extraordinary initiatives meant to solidify Hindu dominance.
    — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of dominance
Noun
  • May Regulate Blood Sugar Control Glucose (blood sugar) control in people with diabetes is crucial to prevent the effects of high and low glucose levels.
    — Mary Choy, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Bailey’s lawsuit is the latest in a prolonged fight between city and state officials over funding of the Kansas City Police Department, which is under state control.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • The country's current head of state, President Joseph Aoun, is an independent who has both called for Hezbollah to disarm and for Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Leaders of Ukraine, meanwhile, are pushing to maintain independence and sovereignty.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • Venezuelans make up almost one-third of the city’s electorate and hold significant sway in local elections.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With Turkish backing, HTS operated in northwestern Idlib Province through much of the Syrian civil war and managed to extend its sway over the territory.
    — Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of sway
Noun
  • The manosphere is a digital collection of websites, videos and forums that promote male supremacy and advocate for traditional gender roles.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Google’s 2019 Quantum Supremacy Milestone In October 2019, Google published its quantum supremacy claim in Nature.
    — Dorit Dor, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of supremacy
Noun
  • The story of Kaabu's royalty and reign has been told for generations through the songs of griots.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Wojtyła took the regnal name after his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, who passed away only a month into his reign as the sovereign of Vatican City.
    — Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of reign

Browse Nearby Words

dominies
dominion
dominions
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Cite this Entry

“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 2 May. 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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