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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Those factors are the same ones the Department of Labor uses to determine prevailing wage levels.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The artist went viral this month after prevailing in a legal ordeal that began four years ago when authorities raided his home to search for evidence for drug trafficking and kidnapping, but failed to find any.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
That’ll be the prevailing public sentiment until the Phillies hit a few more homers.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Also, the prevailing currents in the fall and winter are expected to carry more of the sediment south onto eroded beaches instead of back into the harbor.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The prevailing sentiment at CERAWeek has been that financial markets have not yet come to terms with how long lasting the oil and gas market disruption from the war is likely to be; higher prices will very likely loom even if the US military quickly prevails.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The efforts take into account possible course changes, as well as prevailing weather conditions and ocean currents in the region.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 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
Cabin upgrades are available at prevailing rates subject to stateroom availability.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Those factors are the same ones the Department of Labor uses to determine prevailing wage levels.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The artist went viral this month after prevailing in a legal ordeal that began four years ago when authorities raided his home to search for evidence for drug trafficking and kidnapping, but failed to find any.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
That’ll be the prevailing public sentiment until the Phillies hit a few more homers.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Also, the prevailing currents in the fall and winter are expected to carry more of the sediment south onto eroded beaches instead of back into the harbor.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The prevailing sentiment at CERAWeek has been that financial markets have not yet come to terms with how long lasting the oil and gas market disruption from the war is likely to be; higher prices will very likely loom even if the US military quickly prevails.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The efforts take into account possible course changes, as well as prevailing weather conditions and ocean currents in the region.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
The potential ground operation would reportedly fall short of a full-scale invasion but could involve raids by a mixture of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops, the officials were quoted as saying.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But its conventional naval power looks severely degraded, while Western allies retain strong minesweeping capabilities that could be deployed to keep global trade flowing.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As part of a two-question ballot measure, the Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to pay down the district’s debt.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But there is some risk the city will need to increase its general fund contribution in the new fiscal year because there are expected to be cuts to state funding.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Grammy-winning musician made her Broadway debut as Zidler in the classic musical on March 24.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beating the Soviet Union to the moon made the huge risks acceptable for Apollo, said Charlie Duke, one of only four surviving moonwalkers.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In 2019, Kathy Kleiner Rubin told Rolling Stone about her experience of surviving an attack from Bundy.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The tank was placed on the ice March 10 and fell through by March 25, weeks earlier than usual.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The injury riddled Kings — playing their second game in 24 hours and their third in four nights — were even more shorthanded than usual.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite that, overall launch conditions remain favorable.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
These factors include temperature, wind, cloud cover and the overall health of the launch vehicle.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The innovation cycle for drones is brief, lasting roughly one week, Kamyshin explained.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Astronauts landed six times from 1969 through 1972, with the longest surface stay lasting 75 hours.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Arrizurieta said the area’s current problems stem from rising rents and the type of tenants that can afford to take up shop in the area — mainly, banks and other national powerhouses.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But the phrase can and should be applied to the current Iran war, at least insofar as the United States is concerned.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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