DOMINION Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dominion

noun

də-ˈmi-nyən

Definition of dominion

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

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 The mandate was awarded to Great Britain but was to be exercised by South Africa (then a dominion within the British Empire). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 More recently, the tiny Delica Mini has expanded the Delica's dominion, flashing some adventure and camping chops of its own. — New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026 The preview opens with an introduction to demon king Ravana asserting his dominion across the three realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026 Historical roots As Roberts’ majority opinion demonstrates, the definition of citizenship that Americans inherited from Britain and the common law included everyone born in a place where the king’s dominion extended. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dominion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion

Noun

The Quad continues to show potential as the regional maritime coalition that could limit Chinese domination of Asian waters.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
In a week, pro and college football will resume their TV domination.

— Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of domination

Noun

As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

But challengers emerged and weakened its quest for dominance, often with different models ostensibly tailored to be more local.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
The acquisition also shows how Nvidia is using the enormous financial resources generated by its dominance of AI chips to secure strategic positions beyond its core business.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of dominance

Noun

These trajectories document a robot’s behavior before an intervention, the moment a human operator takes control, and the corrective actions used to recover or complete the task.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Having control over a venue allows stadiums to be designed specifically with a women’s sports fan in mind, which can be critical to gameday experience.

— Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Ibrahim Traoré, who took power after a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso has presented food production as a sovereignty issue.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Lokotah works for Sunlight Media Collective, documenting stories at the intersection of Wabanaki sovereignty and environmental justice.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

The Democratic contest to replace Moulton in the House will also test whether former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris still have some sway over Democratic voters.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sway

Noun

In gratifying the left, the Warren Court debilitated the long tradition of opposing judicial supremacy.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Still, Madison’s argument for them recognized the ways in which the people running each branch of government would try to maneuver for supremacy and the impact that would have on the people being governed.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supremacy

Noun

Nightingale was the fourth-ever AEW TBS champion and held the belt for 35 days before Moné ended her first reign.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Moments before a winner was declared, Eckert concluded her reign with two accidental tumbles on stage, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd.

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reign

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“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dominion

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