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
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
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Adaption Labs represents a significant bet against the prevailing AI industry wisdom that the best way to create more capable AI models is to make the underlying LLMs bigger and train them on more data.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The prevailing opinion was that 32 is just about right, but 34 would be doable.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At some point on this eight-game trip, the prevailing thought was that Austin Reaves would return to play after being out with a left calf strain.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The prevailing thought was the appeal of the sites in North Texas is its central location for the entire tournament.
—Mac Engel
february 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
The prevailing sentiment at the time was that with two in-their-prime Hall of Famers leading the way, those Clippers first rounders would be late selections.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
Software executives aren't the only ones trying to counter the prevailing narrative.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Adaption Labs represents a significant bet against the prevailing AI industry wisdom that the best way to create more capable AI models is to make the underlying LLMs bigger and train them on more data.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The prevailing opinion was that 32 is just about right, but 34 would be doable.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At some point on this eight-game trip, the prevailing thought was that Austin Reaves would return to play after being out with a left calf strain.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The prevailing thought was the appeal of the sites in North Texas is its central location for the entire tournament.
—Mac Engel
february 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
The prevailing sentiment at the time was that with two in-their-prime Hall of Famers leading the way, those Clippers first rounders would be late selections.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her friends, meanwhile, attend a conventional in-person high school.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The second would be how friendly people are along King Drive in general.—
Kynala Phillips,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Working in Northwest Arkansas since 1990, Tom has been an award-winning reporter, a columnist and city editor and an editorial page editor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Florida’s season took off from there and reached new heights, ending with a 12-game winning streak and the school’s third national championship.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This puts a premium on range, payload, and onboard computing power, all while surviving the stresses of carrier launches and recoveries at sea.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The organization’s website states that receiving CPR immediately after the onset can help to double – even triple – the chances of surviving.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Close added that Dugalic’s intense effort was in response to a couple of games during which Dugalic wasn’t playing to her usual standard.—
Felicia Keller,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
On a chilly Austin morning, downtown buzzed with excitement earlier than usual for a Sunday.—
Aaron E Martinez,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Adding dark chocolate to your diet is an easy and delicious way to support heart, brain, and overall health.—
Mura Dominko,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That, plus distinct green (herbs) and black (pepper) flecks, made this contender feel higher-end, inspiring us to declare Trader Joe’s the best ranch dressing overall.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Gwen was 6 months old when mom Becky Segally had to bring her along during the 2015 refinery strike that ended up lasting 99 days, Becky Segally said.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To transmit more power, there are two ways – either a larger hose (thicker cables and higher current) or higher pressure (higher voltage).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The new store will create 17 additional jobs and will relocate 12 current employees to the new location.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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