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
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
The two pitchers dueled 19 days earlier, too, with the Bengals prevailing 2-1, although Yorkville (28-10) went on to win the Southwest Prairie Conference title.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Delivering good-paying jobs by ensuring these centers leverage local trades and pay prevailing wages.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Though there is much in the circumstance that merits applause, the mainstay of the effort was not to provide a positive mathematical proof per se, but instead to discover a counterexample that undercuts a prevailing conjecture regarding the solution to the thorny problem.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Our prevailing cultural reflex, then and now, is skepticism larded with misogyny.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
His distinctly space-age aesthetic, born of necessity in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments, is now arguably the continent’s prevailing architectural style.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Relive that last lap here, with Felix Rosenqvist prevailing, somehow.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
When the Hawks’ season ended last month, following an unfathomable 51-point loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the first-round Eastern Conference series, the prevailing notion seemed to be that the Hawks were fatally flawed.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 May 2026
Adjective
The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Pinkett Smith later filed an anti-SLAPP motion seeking dismissal of portions of Salaam’s lawsuit and recently secured a court order requiring him to pay $32,836 in attorney fees and legal costs after partially prevailing in the case.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
The two pitchers dueled 19 days earlier, too, with the Bengals prevailing 2-1, although Yorkville (28-10) went on to win the Southwest Prairie Conference title.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Delivering good-paying jobs by ensuring these centers leverage local trades and pay prevailing wages.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Though there is much in the circumstance that merits applause, the mainstay of the effort was not to provide a positive mathematical proof per se, but instead to discover a counterexample that undercuts a prevailing conjecture regarding the solution to the thorny problem.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Our prevailing cultural reflex, then and now, is skepticism larded with misogyny.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
His distinctly space-age aesthetic, born of necessity in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments, is now arguably the continent’s prevailing architectural style.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Relive that last lap here, with Felix Rosenqvist prevailing, somehow.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
When the Hawks’ season ended last month, following an unfathomable 51-point loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the first-round Eastern Conference series, the prevailing notion seemed to be that the Hawks were fatally flawed.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Tucked into the misty highlands of Santa Cruz Island, far from the bustle of Puerto Ayora’s waterfront, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton feels less like a conventional Galápagos hotel and more like a secluded jungle retreat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The biggest of these is that trades of blockchain-base stocks can settle almost instantly, versus a conventional process that relies on Wall Street intermediaries that require a day or more to finalize a transaction.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
That's our mission now is to help other DIYers learn how to do more on their project, from general contracting all the way through some of the actual construction elements.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
There are chances to take a deep dive into various history or literature classes beyond general education requirements, or for students to discover their passions or potential career pathways, Ellman said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Copyright © 2026 by Sharon Blackie DR SHARON BLACKIE is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author, and a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
And just never stopped winning.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The surviving child was later taken to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview, according to the affidavit.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
-
In practice, much of that arsenal depends on aging Soviet-era hardware, chronic fuel shortages and a strategy built less around defeating an invader than surviving one.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Green Bay has to hope the NFL shows its usual apathy and Jacobs gets off before ending up in Kansas City.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Despite throwing his four-seam fastball 1 mph faster than usual, the pitch resulted in a strike 76% of the time.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Little Rock is in the field for the second consecutive season and the third time overall.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
But the lessons Joe Negri taught countless children on television and students in his classroom will leave a lasting imprint of a legendary career and a legacy that will never be forgotten.—
Kristine Sorensen,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Filipino Forces exists to spotlight the next generation of Filipino leadership, foster meaningful relationships, and create a lasting platform for representation, pride, and cultural amplification.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Problems pile up The LCS was envisioned as a key component of US naval power in areas dominating current headlines, like the Persian Gulf, where the US and Israel are at war with Iran, and the South China Sea, where the US and its allies are defending freedom of navigation.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
Roy Keane has been taking pot shots at current skipper Bruno Fernandes.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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