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
That was the most prevalent worry expressed in mid-April.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Another common disease ticks spread is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease that is very prevalent in North Carolina, Hayes said.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
Processing and production plants for things such as steel, aluminum and semiconductor chips, especially older ones used for autos, as well as raw materials such as platinum and palladium, aren’t prevalent enough in the U.S. without establishing new plants or mines.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Buyout returns also tend to be more balanced, offering a potential hedge against the tech concentration risk prevalent in the S&P 500.
—Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Another common disease ticks spread is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease that is very prevalent in North Carolina, Hayes said.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
Processing and production plants for things such as steel, aluminum and semiconductor chips, especially older ones used for autos, as well as raw materials such as platinum and palladium, aren’t prevalent enough in the U.S. without establishing new plants or mines.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Buyout returns also tend to be more balanced, offering a potential hedge against the tech concentration risk prevalent in the S&P 500.
—Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 16 May 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 24 May. 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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