Meaning & use
preponderance
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Meanings
nounsingularformal
A situation in which there is more of one thing than of another; a large majority.
Grammar: Usually used with 'a' or 'the': 'a preponderance of evidence'. Not used in the plural in this sense.
Patterns
- a preponderance of something
- the preponderance of evidence
There is a preponderance of evidence showing that the climate is changing.
The preponderance of young people in the audience surprised the speaker.
A preponderance of small businesses in the area keeps the local economy stable.
nounsingularformallegal
The state of being greater in weight, power, or influence.
Grammar: Often used in legal phrases like 'preponderance of the evidence'.
Patterns
- preponderance of the evidence
- a preponderance of power
In civil trials, the standard is a preponderance of the evidence, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The preponderance of military power shifted to the other side.
Word forms
| plural | preponderances |
|---|
Common combinations
- a preponderance of evidence
- The jury found a preponderance of evidence against the defendant.
- preponderance of the evidence
- The judge explained the preponderance of the evidence standard to the jury.
- a preponderance of power
- The country's preponderance of power in the region worried its neighbors.
- a preponderance of something
- There is a preponderance of red cars in this parking lot.
Synonyms and how they differ
- majority
- Majority means more than half; preponderance means a large amount or superiority, not necessarily more than half.
- predominance
- Predominance is very close in meaning, but it often suggests the most common or most noticeable quality, while preponderance focuses on greater quantity or weight.
Opposites
Word family
- preponderate verb
- To be greater in number, weight, or importance.
- preponderant adjective
- Greater in number, weight, or importance.
Commonly confused: preponderance or predominance?
preponderance vs predominance
Predominance means the state of being most common or most noticeable; preponderance means a large amount or superiority, often in evidence or power.
Practice
In a civil case, the plaintiff must show a preponderance ___ the evidence.
Choose one answer.
The fixed legal phrase is 'preponderance of the evidence'. Other prepositions do not fit this standard expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “preponderance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.