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 When Heilmann arrived in New York in 1968, minimalism, post-minimalism, and Conceptual art were turning the city into one enormous male dominion. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for dominion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dominion

Noun

During the Cold War, Washington cast itself as the defender of the free world against totalitarian domination; Moscow portrayed itself as the patron of national liberation against Western colonialism.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
At the Orange County cross-country championships, Trabuco Hills won the boys title and JSerra continued its domination in girls.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of domination

Noun

Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

Conventional analysis treats chip dominance as a source of instability.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Vying for dominance as well are the haughty, self-serving bureaucrats of the area’s bustling capital of South Wood (Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson), who pull their political strings from the relative safety of the grand Pittock Mansion.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominance

Noun

On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
But two more scores from Rexroat of 5 and 54 yards maintained the Eagles’ control of the game.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Lula has instead emphasized multilateralism, ties with the Global South and China — Brazil’s largest export market — and his resistance to Trump’s tariff measures as a defense of national sovereignty.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
The three providers built around European technology received a higher sovereignty rating.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

Shifting coalitions When the Haredi parties exited Netanyahu’s coalition, Likud replaced them with nationalist parties that emphasize the state and Jewish supremacy.

— Hannah Ridge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Gavin Newsom’s legislative minions just got a lesson in constitutional supremacy.

— , FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of supremacy

Noun

Set nearly two decades after the previous installment, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) faces the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge and betrayal lurks in every shadow.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Princess Diana memorably wore her version of the brooch during a 1991 trip to Cardiff, Wales, while Queen Elizabeth II wore her iteration throughout her historic reign.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of reign

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dominions

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“Dominion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dominion. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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