prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈpre-və-lənt 
ˈprev-lənt
1
: generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored : widespread
2
: being in ascendancy : dominant
3
archaic
: powerful
prevalent
noun
prevalently
adverb
Examples of prevalent in a Sentence
Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries.
—
John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
Student use of artificial intelligence has become so prevalent, high school and college educators say, that to assign writing outside of the classroom is like asking students to cheat.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Videos of the killing were prevalent on social media platforms in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s killing, showing the moment when he was struck by a bullet to the neck.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Being obese is more prevalent than being underweight in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The most prevalent is gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and vomiting.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Videos of the killing were prevalent on social media platforms in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s killing, showing the moment when he was struck by a bullet to the neck.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Being obese is more prevalent than being underweight in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The most prevalent is gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and vomiting.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈprev(-ə)-lənt
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area
prevalently
adverb
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