1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people
the principal disagrees with the prevailing attitude toward corporal punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in general
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the prevailing custom here is to leave one's doors unlocked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in winning
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surviving
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs
a custom that still prevails in many areas of Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevailing
Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
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
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
As municipal pools became mixed-gender in the 1920s and ’30s, swimming naked no longer fit prevailing notions of decency.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The Actor award went to Amy Madigan, a lone nominee from a horror film who’s swimming against a prevailing current that favors Best Picture heavyweights.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The spectacle comported with the prevailing views of this ensemble’s antisemitism, but its sheer brazenness catapulted them to a new level of mainstream notoriety.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
There were in 11 lead changes and four ties with Pitt prevailing on the strength of 20-7 advantage on the offensive boards, outscoring Stanford 25-7 in second-chance points and by 12 in the paint.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
When fading a strong prevailing trend, there is a high probability the very first entry will go underwater.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Mortgage points often cap out at 1% off the prevailing interest rate, though this will vary depending on the lender.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The lease extension requires the zoo to start paying prevailing wages on large construction projects and to make climate-friendly any new or significantly renovated buildings.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The median resale house at the prevailing interest rates with 20% down would cost $2,300 per month in December 2025, double the figure from December 2019.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
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
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
As municipal pools became mixed-gender in the 1920s and ’30s, swimming naked no longer fit prevailing notions of decency.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Season 2’s prevailing tone is at once more serious and less sorrowful.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The Actor award went to Amy Madigan, a lone nominee from a horror film who’s swimming against a prevailing current that favors Best Picture heavyweights.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The spectacle comported with the prevailing views of this ensemble’s antisemitism, but its sheer brazenness catapulted them to a new level of mainstream notoriety.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
There were in 11 lead changes and four ties with Pitt prevailing on the strength of 20-7 advantage on the offensive boards, outscoring Stanford 25-7 in second-chance points and by 12 in the paint.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
When fading a strong prevailing trend, there is a high probability the very first entry will go underwater.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Mortgage points often cap out at 1% off the prevailing interest rate, though this will vary depending on the lender.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The lease extension requires the zoo to start paying prevailing wages on large construction projects and to make climate-friendly any new or significantly renovated buildings.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The median resale house at the prevailing interest rates with 20% down would cost $2,300 per month in December 2025, double the figure from December 2019.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
This four-day celebration of the arts spotlights performances outside of conventional theater walls in more open and unique spaces, such as a boat, park or even in a bubble.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But that’s only because his road to Denver was a little less conventional, requiring a little extra perseverance.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Geopolitics aside, this news is a huge deal for the BCIs in general.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Vaughn Hardenberg Westwood The Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman gets all the attention and accolades as being one of the smartest and most successful general managers in sports, and deservedly so.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Combined with 66 high school recruits signed during the same period, the Aggies have essentially turned over the roster while winning 19 of 26 games.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Bryce Harper then hit a two-run home run to tie the game, setting up the ninth inning for Venezuela’s dramatic win, when Eugenio Suarez hit what would be a game-winning double to drive in Javier Sanoja for a 3-2 lead.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the state’s death chamber in Huntsville, Ricks apologized in his last statement to the third, surviving victim, Marcus Figueroa, who watched the execution through glass, the closest person among his relatives in an observation room to Ricks.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Elliott and others located the victims at Pizza City early on the morning of April 16, shooting one victim to death and shooting another surviving victim multiple times.—
Josh Davis,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Zendaya first sparked wedding rumors last month when she was spotted with a gold band in place of her usual rock, though fans were unsure if the actor had simply turned her ring towards her palm or switched to a simpler ring to keep the real one safe.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are now embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, which should make their show here even more celebratory than usual.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Dejounte Murray had 17 points and a season-high 11 assists, while Zion Williamson and rookie Derrick Queen each scored 14 for the Pelicans (24-46), who received a standing ovation as the final seconds wound down on their sixth straight victory at home and ninth win in their past 13 games overall.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Co-owner Carolyn Nugent said her team is still figuring out where things go and how their work flows, but overall the upgrade has been just that.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With heavy snow and blizzard conditions expected in the Twin Cities starting late Saturday and lasting through the day on Sunday, there was concern about whether the Maple Leafs’ team plane would be able to arrive as scheduled after Toronto played a Saturday night game in Buffalo.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Kids may have lasting trauma and mental health issues if the family dynamic is not addressed.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The revelation of the FBI investigation came a day after Kent resigned his position in protest of the current joint military operations with Israel against Iran.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The current rate is $1 to unlock a scooter or e-bike, plus 44 cents per minute of riding.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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