domination

domination — noun

1. when a person, group, or government uses its superior strength or position to ex

1.nounB2
Definition

when a person, group, or government uses its superior strength or position to exercise authority over others, often in a way that restricts their freedom or forces them to obey

Example

Ryo grew tired of his manager's constant domination over every team decision.

possessive + domination + over + noun phrase

The empire's domination of the region lasted for more than two centuries.

domination of + [region/territory] — geopolitical context

Common collocations
  • political domination
  • cultural domination
  • economic domination
  • military domination
  • world domination
  • absolute domination
  • foreign domination
  • under domination
  • domination over
  • domination of
Synonyms
  • control

    broader term; 'control' can be neutral while 'domination' implies forceful or superior power

  • rule

    more formal, often refers to official governance rather than general power over people

  • oppression

    stronger negative moral judgment, emphasises cruelty and injustice

  • subjugation

    more formal and literary, emphasises the act of bringing someone under complete control

Antonyms
  • submission

    the state of yielding to someone else's power

  • liberation

    the act of freeing a group from someone else's control

Grammar Patterns

domination + over + noun phrase

domination + of + noun phrase

under + [possessive] + domination

Usage Note

This sense often carries a negative connotation of unfair or oppressive control. Frequently used with the prepositions 'over' (especially for people or groups) and 'of' (especially for territories or institutions). The phrase 'under + [adjective] + domination' is a common passive construction.

Common Mistakes

The manager's domination was appreciated by the staff.
The manager's leadership was appreciated by the staff.
'domination' has a negative tone of oppressive control, while 'leadership' is neutral or positive.
She has domination over her own schedule.
She has control over her own schedule.
'domination' implies power over others, not over one's own affairs.
The country's cultural domination peacefully spread to neighbouring states.
The country's cultural influence peacefully spread to neighbouring states.
'domination' suggests force or imposition, not gentle influence.

2. when a person, company, or group achieves a position of clear superiority over a

2.nounC1
Definition

when a person, company, or group achieves a position of clear superiority over all rivals in a particular field, market, or activity — for example, a company whose product sells far more than any competitor's, or an athlete who consistently outperforms everyone else

Example

China's domination of the global solar panel market is widely acknowledged.

domination of + [market/industry] — commercial context

The team's complete domination of the tournament surprised even their own coach.

complete domination of + [competition] — sports context

Common collocations
  • market domination
  • complete domination
  • global domination
  • total domination
  • domination of an industry
  • domination in sports
  • domination in trade
Synonyms
  • supremacy

    slightly more formal; often used for military or ideological contexts

  • dominance

    very similar in meaning; 'dominance' is slightly less absolute than 'domination' and more commonly used in sports and biology

  • preeminence

    more formal and literary; emphasises being recognised as the very best

  • ascendancy

    suggests a rising position of power; often implies a process of gaining superiority over time

Antonyms
  • inferiority

    the state of being lower in rank, status, or quality

  • subordination

    placement in a lower or less important position

Grammar Patterns

domination + of + noun phrase

domination + in + noun phrase (activity/field)

complete/absolute + domination

Usage Note

Can be neutral or even positive depending on context, unlike Sense 1 which carries a negative tone. Common in discussions of business (market domination), sports (domination of a league), and technology (domination of a field). When used for people ('her domination of the competition'), it emphasises clear superiority without necessarily implying oppression.

Common Mistakes

The company's domination of the market was controversial.
The company's domination of the market was complete.
In the SUPREMACY sense, 'domination' describes the degree of superiority, not whether it was controversial.
His domination of physics is due to his luck.
His domination of physics is due to years of hard work.
'domination' in a field implies sustained excellence, not luck.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'control' is the broadest and most neutral term (you can control a car, a situation, or a population), 'domination' carries a stronger sense of power exercised over others, often against their will. 'Dominance' is less absolute — a dominant team wins frequently but may still lose sometimes, whereas 'domination' suggests near-total superiority. 'Supremacy' is more formal and often used for ideological or military contexts ('white supremacy', 'air supremacy'), while 'oppression' adds a moral judgment of cruelty and injustice that 'domination' does not necessarily include. For example, 'the empire's domination of the colony' describes the power structure; 'the oppression of the colony' condemns it.

control ↗dominance ↗supremacyoppression ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • world domination
  • under domination
  • bid for domination
  • domination by force

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'dominatio' (lordship, rule), from 'dominari' (to be lord and master), from 'dominus' (lord, master of a household). The word entered English through French in the 14th century with a political meaning, and later broadened to describe superiority in any field.