What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hegemonic
Example
The hegemonic power of the United States has been challenged by emerging economies. [hegemonic: adjective]
Example
The hegemonic discourse of neoliberalism has shaped global economic policies. [hegemonic: adjective]
dominant
Example
The dominant player in the game scored all the points. [dominant: adjective]
Example
The dominant culture in the region celebrates traditional festivals. [dominant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dominant is more commonly used than hegemonic in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Hegemonic is more commonly used in academic or specialized fields such as international relations or cultural studies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hegemonic and dominant?
Hegemonic is a more formal word than dominant and may be less familiar to ESL learners. Dominant is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
