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
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Until now, the prevailing logic has been that only supermassive black holes could whip up winds powerful enough to lay waste to the largest galaxies.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
On OpenAI, Kalshi gives Goldman a 73% chance of prevailing, and Polymarket puts the odds at even for Anthropic.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 June 2026
By prevailing over Minnesota and OKC in back-to-back slugfests, the Spurs have shattered every precedent that experience is a non-negotiable playoff virtue.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Whether or not Raman’s new lead lasts, Pratt might be thinking of ordering movers one way or another as the likelihood of him prevailing in the heavily Democratic metropolis seems slim.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 June 2026
The Lancers’ baseball team came up short in the CIF Southern California Division 4 Regional championship game, with visiting North Torrance prevailing 9-3.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Olson went 2-for-4 in a game in which the Braves (41-20) lost leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before prevailing.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
This renovation is a clear indication that his no-tolerance position is prevailing.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Adjective
The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
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
But while the Netherlands is alive in the FIFA World Cup, orange will be the prevailing hue at the training facility in Riverside.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Until now, the prevailing logic has been that only supermassive black holes could whip up winds powerful enough to lay waste to the largest galaxies.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
On OpenAI, Kalshi gives Goldman a 73% chance of prevailing, and Polymarket puts the odds at even for Anthropic.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 June 2026
By prevailing over Minnesota and OKC in back-to-back slugfests, the Spurs have shattered every precedent that experience is a non-negotiable playoff virtue.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Whether or not Raman’s new lead lasts, Pratt might be thinking of ordering movers one way or another as the likelihood of him prevailing in the heavily Democratic metropolis seems slim.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 June 2026
The Lancers’ baseball team came up short in the CIF Southern California Division 4 Regional championship game, with visiting North Torrance prevailing 9-3.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Olson went 2-for-4 in a game in which the Braves (41-20) lost leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before prevailing.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
This renovation is a clear indication that his no-tolerance position is prevailing.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Unmoored from the family unit, and inflated by success and ambition, she is left to roam the rainy hills like a beast that has exiled itself from conventional society.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
That store, in a mixed use development on South Coast Highway 101, faced lagging sales and was one of nine to close nationwide as the chain — months shy of its acquisition by Amazon — faced new competition from Walmart and other conventional grocers.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
That's our mission now is to help other DIYers learn how to do more on their project, from general contracting all the way through some of the actual construction elements.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
There are chances to take a deep dive into various history or literature classes beyond general education requirements, or for students to discover their passions or potential career pathways, Ellman said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The game-winning goal was scored by sophomore midfielder Nathan Rogers, who finished the night with a hat trick.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
-
The idea of the song — ‘Jules Rimet still gleaming’ — is looking back at the 1966 World Cup rather than talking about winning the Euros.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
With its distinctive, hornlike snout and protrudable jaws, the pink-skinned living fossil is the only surviving representative of a family lineage that dates back nearly 125 million years.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
-
Reaching that age after surviving the Holocaust is nothing short of a miracle.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Laurie Metcalf, confirming her standing as the First Lady of the American Theater, won for her portrayal of Linda Loman, a more formidable than usual interpretation of Willy’s stalwart wife.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Above the factory floor, the big bosses determined our production goals for the day, as usual.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The decision ends a nine-week trial in which a jury decided the family of Mark and Jacob Iskander are owed nearly $200 million overall for the tragic September 2020 crash.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Though the tournament begins Thursday, this week’s free ticket giveaways are not necessarily a break from FIFA’s overall strategy.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Sunday marks 100 days since the war in the Middle East began, and the conflict continues to drive substantial volatility across all asset classes in every region of the world as a lasting peace deal remains elusive.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
-
Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Such undead falsehoods drive our current peril.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Yet the current system leaves parents struggling to afford care, providers struggling to stay afloat and workers struggling to remain in the profession.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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