domineer

/ˌdä-mə-ˈnir/ (ame, mw)

domineer — verb

  • domineerpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • domineers3rd person singular
  • domineering-ing form
  • domineeredpast simple

1. to behave in a bossy, overbearing way toward other people in everyday situations

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to behave in a bossy, overbearing way toward other people in everyday situations, telling them what to do and not letting them decide things for themselves.

例句

The department head domineered over his subordinates, cutting off anyone who tried to disagree.

domineer over + [person/group]

Elena's father domineered the household, deciding everything from meals to weekend plans.

domineer + [group/organisation] (transitive)

同義詞
  • boss around

    more informal and conversational; less severe in tone

  • push around

    informal, suggests physical or social intimidation

  • dictate to

    suggests giving orders in a commanding tone

反義詞
  • defer to

    to yield respectfully to another's opinion or authority

  • follow

    to accept someone else's lead instead of imposing your own

文法句型

domineer + over + [someone]

domineer + [someone]

用法筆記

This sense is frequently used in the pattern 'domineer over + person/group.' It carries a strong negative judgement about the person's behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌He domineered the conversation by talking loudly.
✅He dominated the conversation by talking loudly.
💡'domineer' is used about controlling people, not situations or conversations; use 'dominate' for non-personal contexts.

2. to use your authority or power to control a person or group in a deliberately cr

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to use your authority or power to control a person or group in a deliberately cruel and unfair way, causing them real suffering or hardship.

例句

For years the warlord domineered the village, seizing crops and forcing young men into his army.

domineer + [community] (transitive, cruel actions)

The colonial administration domineered the local communities, suppressing their languages and traditions.

同義詞
  • tyrannize

    stronger and more explicit about cruelty; often used in political contexts

  • oppress

    focuses on keeping people in a powerless state through unjust treatment

  • subjugate

    suggests forcing people under complete control, often by military force

反義詞
  • liberate

    to set free from oppressive control

  • empower

    to give someone the power to control their own life

文法句型

domineer + [someone/community]

domineer + over + [someone/community]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (CONTROL OTHERS): sense 2 implies a cruel or oppressive use of power that harms the victim, whereas sense 1 describes overbearing behaviour that may be less extreme. Sense 2 is more likely in political, historical, or institutional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The manager domineered the project.
✅The manager domineered the project team.
💡'domineer' takes a person or group as its object, not an abstract thing like a project or event.
❌The cat domineered the dog.
✅The cat dominated the dog.
💡'domineer' applies to human relationships involving authority or power, not to animals.