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
Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
As other potential suitors circle, the prevailing opinion is that WBD is PSKY’s to lose, especially given that a key financial backer of Paramount is Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder who is currently the second richest person on the planet.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Curiously, the pattern looks different in Italy, where a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 has been the prevailing system for some time.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
But experts tell Fortune the move will likely transform rather than replace entry-level roles, a prevailing thought among economists following the AI-adoption wave.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The prevailing wisdom is that Medicaid is a losing proposition for health facilities, an insurance program so stingy that many can’t afford to take it.
—Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
The prevailing guess, amongst my colleagues and on much of the internet, is Lin-Manuel Miranda.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
As the players performed snow angels in the confetti on the Levi’s Stadium field, the prevailing thought was there would never be another Von or a Denver D like this.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
But today’s prevailing cowboy image also highlights how cultural myths are continuously upcycled and resold, regardless of their origins.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
People whose behavior and beliefs align with their company's prevailing culture may benefit from sharing more about themselves at work, Chamorro-Premuzic says.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
As other potential suitors circle, the prevailing opinion is that WBD is PSKY’s to lose, especially given that a key financial backer of Paramount is Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder who is currently the second richest person on the planet.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Curiously, the pattern looks different in Italy, where a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 has been the prevailing system for some time.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
But experts tell Fortune the move will likely transform rather than replace entry-level roles, a prevailing thought among economists following the AI-adoption wave.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The prevailing wisdom is that Medicaid is a losing proposition for health facilities, an insurance program so stingy that many can’t afford to take it.
—Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
The prevailing guess, amongst my colleagues and on much of the internet, is Lin-Manuel Miranda.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
As the players performed snow angels in the confetti on the Levi’s Stadium field, the prevailing thought was there would never be another Von or a Denver D like this.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
But today’s prevailing cowboy image also highlights how cultural myths are continuously upcycled and resold, regardless of their origins.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
After being integrated, this system will demonstrate its capabilities in live-fire tests – advancing the Department of War’s effort to evaluate and accelerate new, cost-effective strike capabilities for conventional deterrence.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Studies show operating emissions for rail can be as low as 31 g CO₂e per passenger-km on electrified routes, a number far below many conventional car or plane comparisons.—
Chelsea Haney
October 25,
New Atlas,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In general, the family and the Brown-Forman Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, tries to be consistent with its giving, said current Brown-Forman board chairman Farrer.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Led by quarterback Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt’s roster has been built by coach Clark Lea and general manager Barton Simmons, a longtime recruiting analyst for Rivals and 247Sports.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Double-winning trio Alejandro Grimaldo, Edmond Tapsoba and Patrik Schick are all still at the club, providing at least some continuity in support.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
American Express Dining and drinks All the food and drinks are curated by The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge, a collection of James Beard® Award-winning Resy chefs, including Mashama Bailey, Sarah Grueneberg, Kwame Onwuachi and Mike Solomonov, as well as bar director Harrison Ginsberg.—
Lori Zaino,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But much like Ole Miss surviving Washington State a couple of weeks ago, Alabama pulling it out at South Carolina seems like a turning point.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
His surviving family agreed to sell Kahmann the items on the condition his story was shared.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The team's usual coach, JP MacCallum, took time off after his 10-year-old daughter, Selah, died of cancer, per Marchand's Instagram post.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Blank sailings have only gotten more prevalent as ocean carriers aimed to stop months of declines in freight rates after a softer-than-usual peak shipping season.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Child care disruptions have been shown to negatively impact labor force participation (particularly for women), productivity growth and overall economic growth.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The overall findings indicated that those who received the drug did not perform better than those given a placebo.—
NPR,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film was one of Dean's three major films and serves as a lasting part of his legacy.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Unfortunately, the scent did not have a lasting fragrant effect on the laundry after the wash cycle.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And neither Mann nor Lockwood sees much value in the current, large-scale practice of releasing live larvae or young oysters into the bay.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Many residents favor stricter enforcement of immigration rules but have qualms about the current process.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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