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, 11 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
Mike Jones, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The Bolts haven’t lost since, prevailing in 11 straight showdowns, including a rematch with the Kings.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Approximately 150 mullets went to battle in the great state of Pennsylvania, with a 10-year-old child ultimately prevailing as the ultimate champion of a wild mullet contest in the heart of the commonwealth.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
After prevailing in her royalties war with Mary Bono, Cher is asking a federal judge to force Sonny Bono’s widow to cover her $1 million legal tab.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
Globes mix glitz and gloom Political tension and industrywide uncertainty were the prevailing moods heading into Sunday’s awards.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Political tension and industrywide uncertainty are the prevailing moods heading into Sunday night’s 83rd Golden Globes hosted by Nikki Glaser, a comic known for her roast appearances.
—Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
In one afternoon, the prevailing stereotypes of underachieving Black boys and absentee Black fathers were irrelevant.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
This, at least, has been the prevailing view for much of the modern history of American commerce.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Council members asked questions about rerouting bus traffic through the site, whether the construction jobs would pay prevailing wages, the amount of public open space available within the project, and the percentage of apartments reserved for low-income tenants.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 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
In knocking off their hosts, the Texans earned the first road playoff win in franchise history — prevailing after six consecutive defeats.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The Bolts haven’t lost since, prevailing in 11 straight showdowns, including a rematch with the Kings.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Approximately 150 mullets went to battle in the great state of Pennsylvania, with a 10-year-old child ultimately prevailing as the ultimate champion of a wild mullet contest in the heart of the commonwealth.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
After prevailing in her royalties war with Mary Bono, Cher is asking a federal judge to force Sonny Bono’s widow to cover her $1 million legal tab.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
Globes mix glitz and gloom Political tension and industrywide uncertainty were the prevailing moods heading into Sunday’s awards.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Political tension and industrywide uncertainty are the prevailing moods heading into Sunday night’s 83rd Golden Globes hosted by Nikki Glaser, a comic known for her roast appearances.
—Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
In one afternoon, the prevailing stereotypes of underachieving Black boys and absentee Black fathers were irrelevant.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
This, at least, has been the prevailing view for much of the modern history of American commerce.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that falter under heat, thermal batteries use molten salts as electrolytes, which become ionically conductive only when heated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
They are hidden from conventional daylight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After setting a new standard for the organization in 2025, general manager Dan Morgan, head coach Dave Canales and their respective staffs need to raise the bar even higher.—
Mike Kaye
January 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel McFadin is a general assignment reporter who has been with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since October 2022.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bregman played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 — although the first of those yielded a sign-stealing scandal that earned Bregman and his teammates plenty of scorn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Miami is just 7-15 against teams with a winning record this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These are formative years, when children in LA learn about the tricks to surviving a scrimmage match.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
-
And after miraculously surviving the attack that left her with facial paralysis and a bullet forever lodged in her brain, Buttafuoco was immediately, unwillingly thrust into the spotlight.—
Janine Rubenstein,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As a result, Musick elected to bench her usual rotation for much of the second half.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That improves the Aztecs to 12-4 overall and 6-0 in conference, which is either alone on top or tied with Utah State depending on Wednesday night’s late game between the Aggies and Nevada.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Items like coffee and lettuce put upward pressure on overall inflation.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The declaration was adopted in Paris by the Coalition of the Willing and sets out what leaders said was a framework for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, set in international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The image of Gobert fumbling with the ball and having his shot attempt rim out has been a lasting one.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
State officials attributed the smaller shortfall to an additional $42 billion in revenue expected for the current and next budget years, compared to projections made in 2025.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The bill would also institute tighter regulations on ICE’s only current detention center in the state, in Aurora, and on any others the agency opens.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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