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
While YouTube’s growth has been prevalent across all age groups, the viewing increase has been greatest among adults 65+ at +96%.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
In fact, the disease is so prevalent that the organization has identified tuberculosis as one of the top 10 leading causes of deaths worldwide.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
This has been particularly prevalent on the left, with 41 per cent of Fulham’s attacking touches coming from that third of the pitch, the fourth-highest share among all Premier League teams.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Deer ticks are common vectors of Lyme disease and are prevalent throughout the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Brad Adgate, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
In fact, the disease is so prevalent that the organization has identified tuberculosis as one of the top 10 leading causes of deaths worldwide.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
This has been particularly prevalent on the left, with 41 per cent of Fulham’s attacking touches coming from that third of the pitch, the fourth-highest share among all Premier League teams.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Deer ticks are common vectors of Lyme disease and are prevalent throughout the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 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 6 Apr. 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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