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
-
Last season, the Royals inducted Jackson alongside former general managers Cedric Tallis and John Schuerholz.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Lillie Davidson is a general assignment reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a TCU student studying journalism (Go Frogs!).—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 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
-
The Billboard Artist aims to showcase musicians from fresh, unexpected angles going beyond their usual image to create something truly special.—
Billboard Korea,
Billboard,
18 Mar. 2025
-
But the dark clouds, in the form of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, are more ominous than usual.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
18 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
-
Similar goals could benefit other organizations by fostering trust, broadening reach and demonstrating a commitment to equity—key elements in building lasting community relationships.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With the current Concorde Agreement expiring at the end of 2025, discussions to have a new agreement are underway between F1 teams and the Formula One Management (FOM) from 2026.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The data from the Common App report presents a complex picture of the current state of higher education.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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