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, 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
Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Surreally stylized flourishes that are both awkwardly realized and inorganic to the prevailing mood and style?
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Mahan, Vice Mayor Pam Foley and District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who represents downtown, have also asked the city to create a higher incentive tier for projects that pay prevailing wages and support apprenticeship programs.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
As new performers and writers join, the pop-culture references will change, and so will the prevailing comedic sensibilities.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
That was the prevailing opinion of Broncos players on Wednesday.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The configuration not only creates an ultra-private setting but also helps shield the pool from Hawaii’s prevailing trade winds.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
But there is also a prevailing confidence in Barra’s ability, at this point, to navigate anything that might come GM’s way.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
His view runs counter to much of the prevailing AI narrative.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Surreally stylized flourishes that are both awkwardly realized and inorganic to the prevailing mood and style?
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Mahan, Vice Mayor Pam Foley and District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who represents downtown, have also asked the city to create a higher incentive tier for projects that pay prevailing wages and support apprenticeship programs.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
As new performers and writers join, the pop-culture references will change, and so will the prevailing comedic sensibilities.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
That was the prevailing opinion of Broncos players on Wednesday.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The configuration not only creates an ultra-private setting but also helps shield the pool from Hawaii’s prevailing trade winds.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Challenge conventional hustle culture, true entrepreneurial success comes from building businesses around natural strengths, instincts, and flow states.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The project also explored alternative energy storage systems, including supercritical CO2 turbines and thermal battery solutions, which could support power balancing beyond conventional electrical batteries.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That summer, the NYAG’s general counsel finally found an objectionable line in one of Goldis’s blog posts, titled Free to Ban.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The team announced Thursday night that Ian Cunningham, 40, who started his career as a personnel assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, is their new general manager.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Belichick also was one of the game's top defensive assistants before taking over in New England, winning two earlier Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Penny Weaver is an award-winning journalist who covers crime, law enforcement, court proceedings and more for the River Valley Democrat-Gazette.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Located on Glasgow’s main shopping street, Mackintosh at the Willow is the only surviving tea room designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Kernodle had been stabbed so many times that her surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen initially identified her as Goncalves when questioned by police.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 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
-
But Manning finished his career with an 117-117 overall record with the Giants, eventually replaced by Daniel Jones, whom the team drafted to be the next great franchise quarterback.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This slows not only decision-making but overall team productivity.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 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
-
Our current estimate for IBM is $294.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Their position ignored the Ukrainian perspective on the issue, thus excluding Ukrainians as the affected party from understanding and communicating current and historical narratives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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