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
Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Across Indigenous groups, for example, prevailing wisdom says that dugouts were carved from softwoods, like pine or cypress.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
The prevailing view at the club now is not to make signings, as Carlo Ancelotti and his staff have long feared from talks with the board and information in the media.
—Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
The Maccabees fought for the value of Jewish distinctiveness, the right to live according to commandments that the prevailing Greek authorities viewed as backward.
—Rabbi Leon A. Morris, Sun Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
His is the first whose subservience to the prevailing darkness feels like a depressing surrender of identity.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
For years, the prevailing theory was that spaces should be staged neutrally and impersonally in order to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024
That’s the prevailing thought around a Clemson program again at a crossroads.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
The market entered December on a high, brimming with certainty about a favorable outlook based on prevailing market uptrends, an orderly Fed easing seasonal campaign, seasonal tailwinds and whatever policy outcomes an investor chose to assume will take shape next year.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
The prevailing wisdom in Chicago at the time was the Blackhawks were torn between Byram and center Alex Turcotte.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Across Indigenous groups, for example, prevailing wisdom says that dugouts were carved from softwoods, like pine or cypress.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
The prevailing view at the club now is not to make signings, as Carlo Ancelotti and his staff have long feared from talks with the board and information in the media.
—Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
The Maccabees fought for the value of Jewish distinctiveness, the right to live according to commandments that the prevailing Greek authorities viewed as backward.
—Rabbi Leon A. Morris, Sun Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
His is the first whose subservience to the prevailing darkness feels like a depressing surrender of identity.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
For years, the prevailing theory was that spaces should be staged neutrally and impersonally in order to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024
That’s the prevailing thought around a Clemson program again at a crossroads.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
The market entered December on a high, brimming with certainty about a favorable outlook based on prevailing market uptrends, an orderly Fed easing seasonal campaign, seasonal tailwinds and whatever policy outcomes an investor chose to assume will take shape next year.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Until Alcaraz’s arrival on loan from Flamengo early last month, the squad was severely lacking in conventional No 10s.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Rotis made with conventional American whole wheat flour tend to be chewy, with barely any puff, and verge on bitter.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appétit,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Mavericks have endured a number of injuries to their roster, and the loss of Dončić is something no one saw coming due to the ownership and general manager Nico Harrison.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
During his availability last week, Jets general manager Darren Mougey did nothing to dispel any of those rumors.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
None lasted more than three years, and only Nagy produced a winning season.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The Tigers finally snapped their 21-game SEC losing streak on Tuesday, winning 83-67 over LSU in Columbia.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But within a week, those very same survivors decide to return, preferring their odds in a series of death matches to their odds of surviving at home.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The track is based on a piano demo John Lennon recorded in 1977, and which Yoko Ono gave to the surviving members of the band in 1994.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Since retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, don’t forget to apply SPF (as usual).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Agencies that have already received funding approval or operate on a permanent funding basis would continue to operate as usual.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
What do these cuts mean for the millions of students who rely on federal financial aid, the schools that depend on federal funding, and the overall health of the U.S. education system?—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Watkins was a raw, though scratchy, wide forward, prolific at youth team level but erratic in his overall game.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Nations should be exploring chances for a lasting peace, and avoiding forever wars.—
William Lambers,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Hyaluronic acid is a very effective humectant, capable of binding many times its weight in water, providing long lasting hydration and promoting wound healing.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
That’s because Seattle is the only one of the current MLB teams to never get to a World Series.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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