dominant
DAHM-uh-nunt
/ˈdɒm.ɪ.nənt/
Yielding a strictly higher payoff for a player regardless of the strategies chosen by opponents.
In game theory, a 'dominant strategy' is one that a player should always choose, no matter what rivals do.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'dominans', present participle of 'dominari' (to rule), from 'dominus' (master or lord of the house). Game theorists adopted it to describe strategies that rule over all alternatives.
Word relationships
- overriding: 'Overriding' emphasizes supreme importance, whereas 'dominant' in game theory denotes conditional strategic superiority.
- preeminent: 'Preeminent' refers to distinguished status or rank, whereas 'dominant' refers to strategic payoffs or market force.
- dominated: 'Dominated' describes a strategy that yields worse outcomes than another option regardless of rival choices.
Commonly confused with
- domineering: 'Domineering' describes an overbearing personality, while 'dominant' describes strategic posture or structural position.
Word family
- dominate (verb): To have commanding influence or strategic superiority over.
- dominance (noun): Power and influence over others or strategic superiority.
Collocations
- dominant strategy
- strictly dominant
- weakly dominant
- dominant position
Idioms & expressions
- upper hand
Example sentences
- "A dominant strategy yields a higher payoff regardless of the actions chosen by rival actors." Game Theory Foundations
- "Investing in software security proved to be the dominant strategy for the tech firm, yielding benefits under all market scenarios." Market Dominance
Memory hook
A DOMINANT strategy acts as the MASTER over all other choices. Best move no matter what.
When not to use
Do not confuse with simply 'popular' or 'prevailing'; in game theory it requires strict mathematical superiority across all rival moves.
Fun facts
- When every player in a game has a dominant strategy, the combination of those strategies forms a dominant strategy equilibrium.
Related words
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