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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pervasive
In recent years, as Bolsonaro and his allies engineered a pervasive campaign of false claims on the Brazilian internet, de Moraes led an effort to combat disinformation.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
For some families, the violence is pervasive.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Today, this type of content is even more pervasive online.
—Mallary Tenore Tarpley, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
For some families, the violence is pervasive.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Today, this type of content is even more pervasive online.
—Mallary Tenore Tarpley, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervasive
Adjective
-
The strike received widespread coverage in the corporate media.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
With widespread vaccination, which led to measles being declared eliminated from the US in 2000, SSPE has virtually disappeared in the US.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The wind and current was such that, as the plane flew over us and dropped the bales of cocaine, the cargo would theoretically stay in the general area between where I was stationed in the Mako and where our mothership was anchored.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In general, why should moist soil be a problem for plants if water is so crucial to their growth?—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the most prevalent models is the Yolka interceptor system, which was carried by Russian security personnel during their Victory Day celebration in Moscow on May 9.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But trying to flip concert or sporting tickets for a profit remains prevalent, and in Michigan, is legal in certain cases.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On the other side of the equation, the Chiefs’ receiving corps has looked eerily familiar.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The inertia of familiar patterns keeps people locked into old routines.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pervasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervasive. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share