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
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
While the future of work may be uncertain, one prevailing belief among small-business owners is that AI is not just a passing trend.
—Eyal Lifshitz, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
At the time, the prevailing attitude was that the bigger the conglomerate, the more companies would save through sharing services like accounting, said Russell Zwanka, an associate professor of food marketing at Western Michigan University.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump’s attempt to rehabilitate Bolsonaro is also out of step with prevailing political sentiments in Brazil.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
What works in Dead Man’s Wire is its stylistic claustrophobia and its prevailing mood of disillusionment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
The only prior meeting between these two teams took place last November in a CIF-SDS Division 1 opening-round playoff game in San Diego, with the Broncos prevailing by a point.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
They were paid less than the prevailing wage for those alternative positions.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Coming up with a new, good idea that actually makes explicit predictions that can be tested, and then the results can be compared against the alternatives, including the previously prevailing theory, is a very tall order, but a necessary hurdle to clear in order for a novel idea to be accepted.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
The prevailing scientific explanation for the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen was a Swiss geologist Émile Argand’s theory, which was revealed in 1924.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
While the future of work may be uncertain, one prevailing belief among small-business owners is that AI is not just a passing trend.
—Eyal Lifshitz, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
At the time, the prevailing attitude was that the bigger the conglomerate, the more companies would save through sharing services like accounting, said Russell Zwanka, an associate professor of food marketing at Western Michigan University.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump’s attempt to rehabilitate Bolsonaro is also out of step with prevailing political sentiments in Brazil.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
What works in Dead Man’s Wire is its stylistic claustrophobia and its prevailing mood of disillusionment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
The only prior meeting between these two teams took place last November in a CIF-SDS Division 1 opening-round playoff game in San Diego, with the Broncos prevailing by a point.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
They were paid less than the prevailing wage for those alternative positions.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Coming up with a new, good idea that actually makes explicit predictions that can be tested, and then the results can be compared against the alternatives, including the previously prevailing theory, is a very tall order, but a necessary hurdle to clear in order for a novel idea to be accepted.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
The technique might also yield interesting possibilities in cell therapy or precision surgery, where conventional tools are too large or blunt.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Such intimate screenings and parties will continue in different locations as the film makes its way into conventional theaters.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
How Often To Clean Linoleum Floors For general cleaning, Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, recommends removing dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily using a dry microfiber mop.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Remember to label, date, and mark each soil sample with the general location where it was collected.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the new private terminal is winning their support, with the backing of historians and preservationists who have been fighting to maintain South Florida’s aviation legacy in a region known for tearing down buildings.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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For centuries, public disclosure of those with winning tickets was an essential part of ensuring people could trust lotteries.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at a local church and the sole surviving guest of the lunch, told last month's hearing that the death of his wife had left him bereft.—
Alasdair Pal,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The courtroom thriller dramatizes the first international tribunal against surviving Nazi leaders, probing not only their crimes but also the nature of evil itself.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For instance, if a wildfire—even if far away—coincides with weather systems blowing pollution into your region, AirNow’s email will recommend staying indoors more than usual.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
As such, there’s always been a thrill of danger to every fight, but the difference this time around is that the stakes are far higher than usual.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Rookie Ashton Gillotte provided some juice in his limited snaps, but that wasn’t nearly enough to make up for an overall disappointing night for the defensive line.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Here, these dishes are prepared with less sauce (not a bad thing) and overall salt than at Taipei South, despite having the same ownership.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Multigenerational travel can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world, offering opportunities for grandparents, parents, and children to share experiences and create lasting memories together.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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This should have created a GRB lasting mere seconds, however.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His current district, spanning the northeastern Sacramento suburbs and Lake Tahoe, runs hundreds of miles south to Death Valley.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Emery is more articulate than many, and debating the fairness of the current system is a worthy endeavour, but even that snippet was rooted in a generous interpretation of ‘good management’.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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