as in widespread
existing in every part of something; spreading to all parts of something
A pervasive smell filled the room. the pervasive nature of the problem
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Recent Examples of pervasive
Despite a pervasive culture of smuggling drugs, cell phones and other contraband into the prison previously reported by the Herald and other media and despite the bank flagging a guard’s deposits, neither Noel nor Thomas were asked about their financial records during the OIG interviews.
—
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Pope said grade inflation remains so pervasive because all parties benefit from it, offering a perverse incentive that perpetuates the seemingly benign practice semester after semester.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
There was a pervasive sense among the workers that the government was ignoring—if not outright encouraging—violence against white farmers.
—Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The recent public infatuation with Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalistic ’90s style has been pervasive to say the least.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Pope said grade inflation remains so pervasive because all parties benefit from it, offering a perverse incentive that perpetuates the seemingly benign practice semester after semester.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
There was a pervasive sense among the workers that the government was ignoring—if not outright encouraging—violence against white farmers.
—Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The recent public infatuation with Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalistic ’90s style has been pervasive to say the least.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervasive
Adjective
-
Hours earlier, Israeli police had blocked the top Catholic leader in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, drawing widespread criticism from Western leaders and diplomats.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Species like Aspergillus thrive in warmer temperatures and changing environmental conditions, and widespread use of azole compounds in agriculture and medicine is driving drug resistance.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was held at the Martin County Jail, though not with the general population.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The all-volunteer Planning Commission considers matters related to land-use planning and development, implements the city’s general plan, reviews development applications and serves as an intermediary between the public and the City Council.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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Currently, scientists must predict which strains of flu virus will be prevalent in the coming season months in advance.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Steeped in international cinema, Haghighi has since taken familiar tropes, forms, and genres and bent them in new directions.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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So California may be readying to wage a two-front battle — the familiar one against smog, but a second, altogether new one, against an administration determined to let California get smoggy again.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
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Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pervasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervasive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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