dominion
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for dominion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use dominion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
exercise dominion over
dominion over the land
have dominion
Fairly formal or literary word, common in older political and religious texts.
Etymology
From Latin dominium, "ownership, lordship," from dominus, "lord, master" — the same root as "dominate" and "domain."
Full origin of dominion →Frequently asked questions
What does “dominion” mean?
The word “dominion” means supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people. In plain terms, rule or control over a place, or the territory itself that is ruled.
How do you pronounce “dominion”?
“Dominion” is pronounced duh-MIHN-yuhn (/dəˈmɪnjən/ in IPA).
How do you use “dominion” in a sentence?
Here is “dominion” used in a sentence: “The king claimed dominion over all the lands from the coast to the mountains.”
What part of speech is “dominion”?
“Dominion” is a noun.
Where does the word “dominion” come from?
The word “dominion” comes from Latin. From Latin dominium, "ownership, lordship," from dominus, "lord, master" — the same root as "dominate" and "domain.".
Is “dominion” a common word?
“Dominion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dominion” have?
“Dominion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people.
What is the difference between "dominion" and "domain"?
"Dominion" emphasizes supreme power or authority exercised over a territory or people, while "domain" more neutrally refers to an area of control or a field of activity. "Dominion" carries a stronger sense of rule and sovereignty.
What is the difference between "dominion" and "sovereignty"?
"Sovereignty" refers to the ultimate legal authority or independence of a state, while "dominion" refers more broadly to the exercise of power or control over a territory or group, which can be held short of full sovereignty.
Can "dominion" refer to a place as well as a power?
Yes. "Dominion" can mean both the authority or control itself and the actual territory or country governed by that authority, as in "the king's dominions."
