Verbal analogy — select the best synonym pair. Given pair: DOMINANCE : HEGEMONY

Introduction / Context:
Dominance and hegemony both convey control or leadership, especially one entity's predominance over others. The task is to find another strong synonym pair.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• dominance ≈ hegemony (rule, ascendancy).
• We need two words with parallel meaning strength.

Concept / Approach:
Search for a pair that is essentially definitional equivalence rather than loose association.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Replace colon with “equals”: “Independence equals autonomy” mirrors “Dominance equals hegemony.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• romance : sympathy — different feelings; not synonyms.
• furtherance : melancholy — progress vs sadness; unrelated.
• tolerance : philanthropy — acceptance vs charity; not equivalent.
• recompense : hilarity — payment vs laughter; unrelated.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing pairs that merely coexist thematically; analogies require tight semantic alignment.

Final Answer:
independence : autonomy