ascendancy

/əˈsɛndənsi/

Other forms: ascendancies

When you assume ascendancy over someone else, you become more powerful than they are. Ascendancy is the state of being in a higher position.

If you look at ascendancy, you see the word, ascend, which means to go up. Ascendancy is not so much about going up, but about being up. Another word for it is dominance, especially in the context of foreign or domestic relations. In school, if you question a teacher's ascendancy, you might be told to go to the principal's office. In this case, you're challenging the teacher's authority.

Definitions of ascendancy

1. noun

   the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
   synonyms: ascendance, ascendence, ascendency, control, dominance

   types:

   ascendant, ascendent

   position or state of being dominant or in control

   domination, mastery, supremacy

   power to dominate or defeat

   predominance, predomination, prepotency

   the state of being predominant over others

   dominion, rule

   dominance or power through legal authority

   regulation

   the state of being controlled or governed

   absolutism, despotism, tyranny

   dominance through threat of punishment and violence

   monopoly

   exclusive control or possession of something

   superiority, transcendence, transcendency

   the state of excelling or surpassing or going beyond usual limits

   paramountcy

   the state of being paramount; the highest rank or authority

   raj

   British dominion over India (1757-1947)

   reign, sovereignty

   royal authority; the dominion of a monarch

   suzerainty

   the position or authority of a suzerain

   type of:

   condition, status

   a state at a particular time