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
Synonyms
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
The Florida panther is a type of cougar or mountain lion, which used to be prevalent across the southeastern U.S., but is now only found in southern Florida.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Forging through the cold and windy weather that’s been prevalent at New York Fashion Week has been no joke.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
Themes of perseverance and resistance are prevalent within Herdy’s previous projects under Covetower Ventures and fact checking sister company Avocados Are Fruit, highlighting women who are silenced and victimized.
—Anaja I. Smith, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
Genre is increasingly prevalent at all the film markets as big-budget packages become more scarce and this is the type of project that could stand out from the pack.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prevalent 
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Forging through the cold and windy weather that’s been prevalent at New York Fashion Week has been no joke.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
Themes of perseverance and resistance are prevalent within Herdy’s previous projects under Covetower Ventures and fact checking sister company Avocados Are Fruit, highlighting women who are silenced and victimized.
—Anaja I. Smith, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
Genre is increasingly prevalent at all the film markets as big-budget packages become more scarce and this is the type of project that could stand out from the pack.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prevalent
Dictionary Entries Near prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 20 Feb. 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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