prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈpre-və-lənt 
ˈprev-lənt
1
: generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored : widespread
2
: being in ascendancy : dominant
3
archaic
: powerful
prevalent
noun
prevalently
adverb
Examples of prevalent in a Sentence
Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries.
—
John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside of California, valley fever is also prevalent in Arizona and some areas of Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Texas, as well as parts of Mexico and Central and South America.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
As digital payments become prevalent, security is paramount.
—Bindesh Pandey, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
For starters, obesity—defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as having a body mass index greater than 30—is prevalent in more than 2 out of every 5 adult Americans today.
—Kevin Reutenauer, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
This is because granite and metamorphic rocks prevalent in the areas tend to contain high levels of uranium.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
As digital payments become prevalent, security is paramount.
—Bindesh Pandey, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
For starters, obesity—defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as having a body mass index greater than 30—is prevalent in more than 2 out of every 5 adult Americans today.
—Kevin Reutenauer, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
This is because granite and metamorphic rocks prevalent in the areas tend to contain high levels of uranium.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈprev(-ə)-lənt
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area
prevalently
adverb
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