Dominant vs Oppressive - What's the difference?

Oppressive is a synonym of dominant.

is that dominant is ruling; governing; prevailing; controlling while oppressive is burdensome or difficult to bear.

is the fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.

(en noun)

(music) The fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.

(music) The triad built on the dominant tone.

(BDSM) The dominating partner in sadomasochistic sexual activity.

* 2011 , Jayne Rylon, Mistress's Master (page 65)

His story was a fable you told dominants in training to stress the importance of comprehending the depths of your submissive's needs.

(en adjective)

Ruling; governing; prevailing; controlling.

The dominant party controlled the government.

* Macaulay

The member of a dominant race is, in his dealings with the subject race, seldom indeed fraudulent, but imperious, insolent, and cruel.

Predominant, common, prevalent, of greatest importance.

The dominant plants of the Carboniferous were lycopods and early conifers.

* 2009 , H. Stephen Stoker, General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry , page 10

All other elements are mere "impurities" when their abundances are compared with those of these two dominant elements.

* imposing * prevalent

* (ruling) obedient, submissive (one who obeys''); defiant, rebellious (''one who defys )

(en adjective)

Burdensome or difficult to bear.

The oppressive tax laws made it difficult to start a small company.

Tyrannical or exercising unjust power.

The oppressive land-owners kept a grip on the labourers.

Weighing heavily on the spirit; intense, or overwhelming

Will the oppressive heat of summer never end?

* (weather) humid, close