Top 34 Slang For Dominate – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to asserting dominance in conversations, games, or any other aspect of life, having the right slang term can make all the difference. In this listicle, we’ve gathered the top slang words and phrases that signify dominance. Whether you want to up your linguistic game or simply stay in the loop with the latest trends, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to level up your communication skills and show the world who’s boss!

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Run the show

To be in charge or have complete authority over a situation or group. The phrase suggests that the person is the one making all the important decisions and directing the course of events.

For example, “She runs the show at the office and makes sure everything runs smoothly.”
In a sports context, someone might say, “He runs the show on the basketball court and controls the flow of the game.”
A manager might assert their authority by saying, “I’m the one who runs the show here, so you need to follow my instructions.”

2. Call the shots

To have the power or authority to make important decisions or give orders. This phrase implies that the person is the one who determines what happens and has the final say in a particular situation.

For instance, a team captain might say, “I call the shots on the field and decide the team’s strategy.”
In a business setting, a CEO might declare, “I call the shots in this company and set the direction for our future.”
A parent might establish their authority by saying, “In this house, I call the shots and make the rules.”

3. Be the kingpin

To be the most important or powerful person in a particular group or organization. The term “kingpin” is often used to describe someone who holds a position of great influence and control.

For example, “He is the kingpin of the criminal organization and controls all illegal activities.”
In a business context, someone might say, “She is the kingpin of the industry and dominates the market.”
A leader might assert their dominance by saying, “I am the kingpin of this team and everyone follows my lead.”

4. Be the alpha

To be the dominant or most influential person in a particular group or social hierarchy. The term “alpha” is often used to describe someone who is at the top of the social or hierarchical ladder.

For instance, “He is the alpha of the pack and all other members follow his lead.”
In a workplace setting, someone might say, “She is the alpha of the team and sets the standards for performance.”
A person might assert their dominance by saying, “I am the alpha in this relationship and make all the important decisions.”

5. Be the top banana

To be the person with the highest level of authority or influence in a particular group or organization. The phrase “top banana” is often used to refer to the person who is in charge or holds a position of leadership.

For example, “He is the top banana in the company and everyone reports to him.”
In a social setting, someone might say, “She is the top banana of our friend group and organizes all our outings.”
A team member might acknowledge the leader by saying, “He is the top banana on the project and we all look to him for guidance.”

6. Be the head honcho

This phrase refers to being the person in control or the highest-ranking authority in a certain situation or group.

For example, “He’s the head honcho of the company and makes all the major decisions.”
In a sports team, a player might say, “I want to be the head honcho and lead my team to victory.”
In a group project, someone might assert themselves by saying, “I’ll be the head honcho and delegate tasks to everyone.”

7. Be the big cheese

This slang phrase means to be the person who holds the most power or authority in a particular situation.

For instance, “She’s the big cheese in the fashion industry and everyone looks up to her.”
In a social setting, someone might say, “I want to be the big cheese at the party and make sure everyone has a great time.”
In a professional setting, a coworker might say, “He’s the big cheese around here, so we should listen to his advice.”

8. Be the top gun

This phrase is derived from the movie “Top Gun” and refers to being the best or most skilled in a particular field or activity.

For example, “He’s the top gun in the sales department and consistently exceeds his targets.”
In a competitive setting, someone might say, “I want to be the top gun in this competition and prove my abilities.”
In a discussion about sports, a fan might say, “He’s the top gun of the team and carries them to victory.”

9. Be the main man

This slang phrase means to be the person who has the highest level of authority or influence in a certain situation or group.

For instance, “He’s the main man in the organization and everyone looks to him for guidance.”
In a group project, someone might assert themselves by saying, “I’ll be the main man and make sure everything runs smoothly.”
In a social setting, a person might say, “I want to be the main man at the party and make a good impression on everyone.”

10. Be the top cat

This phrase refers to being the person who holds the highest position or has the most authority in a certain situation or group.

For example, “She’s the top cat in the company and makes all the major decisions.”
In a group project, a team member might say, “Let’s make him the top cat and follow his lead.”
In a social setting, someone might assert themselves by saying, “I’ll be the top cat at the event and make sure everyone has a great time.”

11. Headmaster

This term refers to someone who is the leader or authority figure in a particular domain or situation. It implies a sense of control and dominance.

For example, in a group project, one person might take charge and say, “I’ll be the headmaster and delegate tasks to everyone.”
In a sports team, the coach might be referred to as the headmaster, as they are the one who directs and guides the team.
In a business setting, a manager might assert their authority by saying, “I’m the headmaster here, and I expect everyone to follow my instructions.”

12. Captain

In the context of domination, “captain” refers to someone who takes charge and leads others. It implies a position of authority and control.

For instance, in a game or sport, the captain is typically the one who makes decisions and directs the team.
In a group setting, someone might say, “Let’s follow the captain’s lead and do what they suggest.”
In a work environment, a manager might be referred to as the captain, as they are responsible for guiding and overseeing their team.

13. Command

To “command” means to take control or exert authority over a situation or group of people. It implies a strong and dominant presence.

For example, a military officer might command their troops to take a specific action.
In a classroom, a teacher might command their students to be quiet and listen.
In a business setting, a CEO might command their employees to follow a certain strategy.

14. Hold sway

This phrase means to have power, control, or influence over others. It suggests a sense of dominance and the ability to make decisions.

For instance, a charismatic leader might hold sway over their followers, who trust and follow their guidance.
In a debate, someone with strong arguments and persuasive skills might hold sway over the audience.
In a political context, a powerful figure might hold sway over public opinion and the outcome of elections.

15. Be the boss

To “be the boss” means to be in control or have authority over a situation or group of people. It implies a dominant position and the ability to make decisions.

For example, in a company, the CEO is the boss who sets the direction and makes important decisions.
In a household, parents might be the boss, responsible for making rules and managing the family.
In a group project, someone might take charge and say, “I’ll be the boss and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

16. Overpower

To overpower someone means to completely defeat or overwhelm them, usually through physical strength or force. It can also be used figuratively to describe someone who dominates or controls a situation.

For example, “The champion boxer overpowered his opponent with a series of powerful punches.”
In a video game, a player might say, “I used a special move to overpower the boss and win the game.”
A manager might say, “We need to overpower our competitors by offering a better product and superior customer service.”

17. Vanquish

To vanquish means to defeat or conquer someone or something completely. It implies a sense of total domination and victory, often through a fierce battle or struggle.

For instance, “The hero vanquished the evil villain and saved the city.”
In a sports context, a commentator might say, “The home team vanquished their rivals with a decisive victory.”
A person might say, “I vanquished my fear of public speaking by practicing and facing my anxiety head-on.”

18. Overlord

An overlord is a person who has absolute power or control over others. It is often used in a hierarchical or authoritarian context to describe someone who dominates or rules over a group or organization.

For example, “The dictator was the overlord of the country, with complete control over its citizens.”
In a fantasy novel, a character might be referred to as the “dark overlord” who seeks to conquer the world.
A person discussing corporate culture might say, “The CEO acts as the overlord of the company, making all major decisions.”

19. Overcome

To overcome means to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem or difficulty. It implies a sense of triumph or victory over obstacles or challenges.

For instance, “She overcame her fear of heights by slowly facing her fear and gradually increasing her exposure to tall buildings.”
In a personal development context, a motivational speaker might say, “You can overcome any obstacle if you believe in yourself and work hard.”
A person might say, “I overcame my addiction to drugs through therapy and support from my loved ones.”

20. Supremacy

Supremacy refers to the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status. It implies a sense of dominance or superiority over others.

For example, “The nation sought to establish its supremacy in the region by expanding its military and economic influence.”
In a sports context, a team might strive for supremacy by winning multiple championships in a row.
A person discussing social issues might argue, “We need to challenge systems of supremacy and work towards equality for all individuals.”

21. Subjugate

To subjugate means to bring someone or something under control or conquer them. It implies exerting power or authority over others.

For example, “The dictator sought to subjugate the entire population and suppress any opposition.”
In a discussion about colonialism, one might say, “The colonizers aimed to subjugate the native people and exploit their resources.”
A person describing a dominant sports team might say, “They completely subjugated their opponents, winning every game with ease.”

22. Oversee

To oversee means to supervise or manage a task, project, or group of people. It implies having authority and control over the activities or progress of others.

For instance, “As the project manager, my role is to oversee the development and implementation of the new software.”
In a workplace context, one might say, “I oversee a team of employees and ensure they meet their targets.”
A coach discussing their role might say, “I oversee the training and performance of the athletes, ensuring they reach their full potential.”

23. Overwhelm

To overwhelm means to bury or overpower someone or something with a great amount or intensity. It implies being overcome or overpowered by a force or emotion.

For example, “The sheer number of tasks overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t complete them all.”
In a discussion about a natural disaster, one might say, “The hurricane overwhelmed the city, causing widespread destruction.”
A person describing their emotions might say, “I was overwhelmed with joy when I received the good news.”

24. Overrun

To overrun means to invade or take over a place or area, often with force or in large numbers. It implies overwhelming or overpowering the existing defenses or control.

For instance, “The enemy forces planned to overrun the city and establish their dominance.”
In a military context, one might say, “The troops successfully overran the enemy’s position, securing a strategic advantage.”
A person discussing a crowded event might say, “The venue was overrun with fans eager to see their favorite artist perform.”

25. Overthrow

To overthrow means to forcefully remove someone or something from power or authority, often through a revolution or rebellion. It implies replacing the existing order with a new one.

For example, “The citizens organized a protest to overthrow the corrupt government.”
In a historical context, one might say, “The revolutionaries successfully overthrew the monarchy and established a republic.”
A person discussing a coup might say, “The military plotted to overthrow the president and seize control of the country.”

26. Overpowering

To overpower means to defeat or overcome someone or something in a dominant or forceful manner. It implies a sense of overwhelming strength or control.

For example, “The team’s overpowering offense led them to a decisive victory.”
In a video game, a player might say, “I used a powerful weapon to overpower my opponents.”
A person describing a strong smell might say, “The overpowering scent of the flowers filled the room.”

27. Overmaster

To overmaster means to gain complete control or dominance over someone or something. It suggests a sense of overpowering and subduing.

For instance, “The general’s strategy was to overmaster the enemy and claim victory.”
In a business context, a company might aim to overmaster its competitors in the market.
A person discussing personal growth might say, “I strive to overmaster my fears and achieve my goals.”

28. Overbear

To overbear means to dominate or overwhelm someone or something with force or authority. It implies a sense of overpowering and suppressing.

For example, “Her strong personality tends to overbear others in group discussions.”
In a debate, one person might try to overbear their opponent with aggressive arguments.
A person describing a heavy workload might say, “The amount of tasks can sometimes overbear me.”

29. Overmatch

To overmatch means to surpass or exceed the ability, strength, or skill of someone or something. It suggests a sense of domination and superiority.

For instance, “The champion boxer overmatched his opponent and won the fight easily.”
In a sports context, a team might overmatch their rivals with better tactics and skills.
A person describing a competition might say, “I need to improve my skills to overmatch my competitors.”

30. Overreach

To overreach means to extend one’s power, influence, or control beyond what is reasonable or appropriate. It implies a sense of exceeding boundaries or limits.

For example, “The politician’s actions were seen as an overreach of their authority.”
In a negotiation, one party might try to overreach and demand more than what is fair.
A person discussing personal relationships might say, “It’s important not to overreach and invade someone’s privacy.”

31. Overstep

To “overstep” means to go beyond what is considered appropriate or acceptable in terms of control or authority. It implies exerting dominance or power in a way that exceeds the boundaries.

For example, “The manager overstepped his authority by making decisions without consulting the team.”
In a political context, one might say, “The government overstepped its power by implementing new regulations without public input.”
A parent might warn their child, “Don’t overstep your boundaries by telling your siblings what to do.”

32. Overbalance

To “overbalance” means to gain a position of power or control, often by surpassing others or tipping the scales in one’s favor. It suggests a sense of dominance or superiority.

For instance, “The team’s strong offense overbalanced the opponent’s defense.”
In a competitive situation, one might say, “His exceptional skills overbalanced the competition, leading him to victory.”
A person discussing career success might mention, “Sometimes you have to take risks to overbalance your competitors and achieve your goals.”

33. Triumph

To “triumph” means to achieve victory or success in a dominant or superior manner. It implies a sense of control and mastery over a situation or competition.

For example, “The underdog team triumphed over the reigning champions in a stunning upset.”
In a personal context, one might say, “She triumphed over adversity and achieved her dreams.”
A fan might exclaim, “Our team triumphed over their rivals, securing their spot in the playoffs.”

34. Top

To “top” means to outclass or outperform others in a competition or situation, asserting dominance and superiority. It suggests being at the highest level or position.

For instance, “She topped the leaderboard with her exceptional performance.”
In a discussion about academic achievements, one might say, “He consistently tops his class in every subject.”
A person describing their skills might say, “I can top anyone in my field when it comes to problem-solving.”