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to predominate

to predominate

1 7.0
To stand out and draw attention in a place
  • verb
  • /prɪˈdɑːmɪneɪt/
translation icon : predominar
  • In this painting, vibrant colors predominate, drawing the viewer's eye to the center of the canvas.

Examples

  • While Italians from every corner of Italy arrived, as in the past, southern Italians predominated.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Green filters predominate because the eye is more sensitive to green.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Which part should predominate or be the loudest?

    Academic text (2001)
  • National concerns in foreign policy have predominated over concern for preventing terrorism.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Shophouse-style buildings predominated in the residential sector.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The image of the sluggish reptile gradually predominated over the image of the quick-moving bird.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In the stunning landscape, the towering mountains predominate, casting long shadows over the valley below.

  • The lush greenery predominates in the garden, creating a tranquil oasis in the middle of the city.

Synonyms

to dominate
vsto predominate
213 3.8

To be the most important or noticeable part of something

is about visual size and commanding position rather than general importance
to loom
vsto predominate
152 5.1

To appear as a large unclear shape that seems threatening

is a clear visual presence that controls the view not a vague form
to tower
vsto predominate
72 4.6

To be much taller than nearby things and look more important

occupies visual commanding position without implying greater height
to loom large
vsto predominate
11 7.3

To seem very important or threatening and affect people's thoughts

is about visible size or position in a scene rather than mental influence

Antonyms

201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

How Dominant

to dominate
48 3.7
to predominate
1 7.0
to tower over
14 4.8
to stand out
244 3.2

Surface Forms

predominate infinitive
predominated past participle
predominating present participle
predominates third person singular

Morphology

predominate = dominate (semi-transparent) = pre + domin + ate

This sense is very close to 'dominate', especially in visual or spatial prominence, but the prefix 'pre-' is not transparently meaningful to most learners in this word.

Etymology

The word predominate comes from Latin parts pre- meaning 'in front' and domin- from dominus meaning 'lord' or 'master'. That's why when something predominates in a place it 'stands in front' or 'rules the view', so it appears large or takes the main position.