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
Cal J. Halvorsen, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Matsura’s photographs stand in sharp contrast to this powerful, prevailing myth.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Gold remains a compelling investment amid prevailing economic uncertainty, with its price hitting record highs above $3,600 per ounce, marking a 38% increase year to date.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Hungary may well find the net, but the prevailing sentiment is that Portugal's superior depth and lethal form should prevail.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite their British bias, the prevailing media narrative is that this is Piastri’s time.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prevailing scientific explanation for the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen was a Swiss geologist Émile Argand’s theory, which was revealed in 1924.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump’s attempt to rehabilitate Bolsonaro is also out of step with prevailing political sentiments in Brazil.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
What works in Dead Man’s Wire is its stylistic claustrophobia and its prevailing mood of disillusionment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The approximately 40,000 older workers who have benefited from it annually in recent years have earned their area’s prevailing minimum wage as a stipend while working part time.
—Cal J. Halvorsen, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Matsura’s photographs stand in sharp contrast to this powerful, prevailing myth.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Gold remains a compelling investment amid prevailing economic uncertainty, with its price hitting record highs above $3,600 per ounce, marking a 38% increase year to date.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Hungary may well find the net, but the prevailing sentiment is that Portugal's superior depth and lethal form should prevail.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite their British bias, the prevailing media narrative is that this is Piastri’s time.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prevailing scientific explanation for the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen was a Swiss geologist Émile Argand’s theory, which was revealed in 1924.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump’s attempt to rehabilitate Bolsonaro is also out of step with prevailing political sentiments in Brazil.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
What works in Dead Man’s Wire is its stylistic claustrophobia and its prevailing mood of disillusionment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
As a result, embodied emissions, e-waste, and the administrative burden of the conventional hardware refresh cycle are greatly reduced.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Broiler Basics & Heat Intensity Unlike conventional oven baking, which uses indirect heat, a broiler produces direct, concentrated heat from above—essentially like an upside-down grill inside your oven.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
Verb
-
The one-time Iron Range rising star was a congressman from 1975 to 1981 but decided to forgo reelection just as Ronald Reagan was winning the presidency.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Kapil Kajal Kapil Kajal is an award-winning journalist with a diverse portfolio spanning defense, politics, technology, crime, environment, human rights, and foreign policy.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
See where the cast of the fan-favorite film ended up after surviving Herrington High's alien invasion.—
Keith Langston,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
-
At Miramontes’ May 9 arraignment, the prosecutor said those surviving victims identified him as the homicide suspect based on his tattoos and a police photo lineup.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For instance, if a wildfire—even if far away—coincides with weather systems blowing pollution into your region, AirNow’s email will recommend staying indoors more than usual.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
As such, there’s always been a thrill of danger to every fight, but the difference this time around is that the stakes are far higher than usual.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The disk-like shape allows more devices to be housed in a smaller area, making the overall package smaller and lighter.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The White House's budget request for fiscal year 2026 calls for a 25 percent cut to NASA's overall budget, and a nearly 50 percent reduction in funding for the agency's Science Mission Directorate.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Combining wool for softness and rayon for lasting quality, the Haren rug brings serenity to your space—the subtle texture almost reminds us of a zen garden.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Builders of the Internet Era Honorees include major names like Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Netflix, NPR, and Adobe — each recognized for their lasting cultural impact, creative innovation and consistent achievement at the Webbys over the years.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Arafat’s successor, current PA President Mahmoud Abbas, has banished and imprisoned opponents and critics.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The current Razorback defenders are well aware of the shortcomings in last year’s game.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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