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
Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The source said the latest theory behind the missing 84-year-old’s disappearance is not currently the prevailing view among investigators.
—Michael Ruiz , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Employers are also required to pay H-1B workers at least as much as the wage of similar workers or the prevailing wage.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Savvy Democrats also should conclude that Peterson has the best chance of prevailing in the fall.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The prevailing concern here is not AI, but the elevated cost of beef.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Charlie’s prevailing disgust with his fellow-officers, most of whom all but openly take part in a human-trafficking operation, is sharpened when a young migrant from Mexico, named Maria, has her infant stolen while they’re being held in a detention camp.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
As semiconductor stocks undergo another bout of severe volatility, Bank of America Global Research has issued a sharp rebuke of prevailing market sentiment, labeling fears driving the current tech-sector selloff as logically impossible.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The prevailing thought was the appeal of the sites in North Texas is its central location for the entire tournament.
—Mac Engel
february 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 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
Still, the prevailing opinion remains that Willis is ready to be a starter — and get paid handsomely for basically four strong appearances over two seasons.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The source said the latest theory behind the missing 84-year-old’s disappearance is not currently the prevailing view among investigators.
—Michael Ruiz , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Employers are also required to pay H-1B workers at least as much as the wage of similar workers or the prevailing wage.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Savvy Democrats also should conclude that Peterson has the best chance of prevailing in the fall.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The prevailing concern here is not AI, but the elevated cost of beef.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Charlie’s prevailing disgust with his fellow-officers, most of whom all but openly take part in a human-trafficking operation, is sharpened when a young migrant from Mexico, named Maria, has her infant stolen while they’re being held in a detention camp.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
As semiconductor stocks undergo another bout of severe volatility, Bank of America Global Research has issued a sharp rebuke of prevailing market sentiment, labeling fears driving the current tech-sector selloff as logically impossible.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The prevailing thought was the appeal of the sites in North Texas is its central location for the entire tournament.
—Mac Engel
february 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
This is roughly equivalent to a large conventional nuclear reactor which is capable of delivering reliable, around-the-clock power 24 hours a day.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Even though her black wedding gown unintentionally started a forever style trend for brides wanting something a little less conventional, Parker doesn't necessarily stand by her choice.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The two Spinosaurus species, which were contemporaneous, shared the same general body plan including long dorsal spines forming the sail-like structure and a skull adapted for hunting fish.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In person, Melling is naturally curious, freely solicitous of my opinions about the film or book recommendations in general.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pair achieved as much in Gibson’s very first World Cup event, with the duo winning the mixed relay race to secure a spot for the Games.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The winning bid for the rare card was placed by venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The surviving group had been communicating with them via emergency beacons and iPhone SOS signals, Moon said.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The surviving group located three of the missing people deceased, and rescuers found another five people deceased.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Close added that Dugalic’s intense effort was in response to a couple of games during which Dugalic wasn’t playing to her usual standard.—
Felicia Keller,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
On a chilly Austin morning, downtown buzzed with excitement earlier than usual for a Sunday.—
Aaron E Martinez,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The blowout loss would mark not only the biggest margin of defeat for the Trojans in two seasons under Musselman but also the first time USC (18-8 overall, 7-8 in the Big Ten) has given up more than 100 points in a game since 2019.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The win boosted San Diego State’s overall record to 21-4.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Gwen was 6 months old when mom Becky Segally had to bring her along during the 2015 refinery strike that ended up lasting 99 days, Becky Segally said.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The rink disparity’s roots go back to well before the countries’ current allocation of resources.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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