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
Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
And that, plus the game’s physicality, became the prevailing story.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
The giant impact mix-up The prevailing theory of Earth’s formation posits that roughly 100 million years after the proto-Earth formed, a Mars-sized object slammed into it.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Dean and distinguished professor for the school of management and labor relations at Rutgers University Mark Anner defined the wage gap as the difference between the prevailing wage (what workers actually get) and what they should be paid (the living wage).
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Look to the other jewelry obsessions prevailing during the fall 2025 season.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
West Bridgewater and Fairhaven engaged in an epic back-and-forth offensive shootout that ended with the Wildcats prevailing with a wild 47-43 South Coast Conference victory.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Although surveys showed former Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon with a lead, Collins ended up prevailing with just over 50 percent of the vote.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The prevailing wisdom of the past emphasized the need for more protein in younger folks who are experiencing rapid growth and development.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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 July, the Pentagon also struck an unprecedented deal to buy a $400 million stock in rare earth company MP Materials, while guaranteeing a ten-year floor price of double prevailing market levels for the strategically crucial rare earth magnet neodymium-praseodymium.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
And that, plus the game’s physicality, became the prevailing story.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
The giant impact mix-up The prevailing theory of Earth’s formation posits that roughly 100 million years after the proto-Earth formed, a Mars-sized object slammed into it.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Dean and distinguished professor for the school of management and labor relations at Rutgers University Mark Anner defined the wage gap as the difference between the prevailing wage (what workers actually get) and what they should be paid (the living wage).
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Look to the other jewelry obsessions prevailing during the fall 2025 season.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
West Bridgewater and Fairhaven engaged in an epic back-and-forth offensive shootout that ended with the Wildcats prevailing with a wild 47-43 South Coast Conference victory.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Although surveys showed former Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon with a lead, Collins ended up prevailing with just over 50 percent of the vote.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The prevailing wisdom of the past emphasized the need for more protein in younger folks who are experiencing rapid growth and development.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
This replaces a solid material that replaces the flammable liquid electrolyte found in conventional batteries.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The smaller Nomads will be powered by hybrid electric drivetrains, while the larger ones will use conventional engines.—
David Szondy
October 19,
New Atlas,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For more on the Las Vegas Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The combo is a winning recipe that has kept this neighborhood favorite happily busy since 1993.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
-
On one hand, winning another chip will be at the forefront, so managing players toward the end of the regular season would be logical.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In September 2021, Murdaugh attempted to stage his own shooting in an effort to award Buster, his surviving son, a $10 million life insurance payment.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The program also extends financial assistance to eligible surviving family members, including spouses, dependent children, and parents.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Steelers counter with their usual black-and-yellow primaries.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Kevin sneaks his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and gets up to his usual shenanigans in the building, which was owned in real life by Donald at the time, with Ivana serving as the property's president.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
More than 60% of European companies cite regulation as an obstacle to investment, and most see it as their biggest challenge overall.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Many of the same names in the hosting category were named in the overall talk show category this year as well, including The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show and Live with Kelly and Mark.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple meetings about the policy in Sumner County have drawn extensive public comment, both for and against the policy, with most meetings lasting hours.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
-
During their tenures, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama all experienced shutdowns lasting more than two weeks.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The council had already rejected Allied once before, months earlier, over settlements — including back wages — that the company has had to pay out to current and former employees.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
As in many other CIF-SS team sports, girls volleyball teams are placed in playoff divisions according to their current season performance.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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