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
Longwell said that fragmented media diets are particularly prevalent in younger voters, especially among 18- to 29-year-olds.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Insomnia is more prevalent among women and older adults.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The condition tends to be more prevalent in warmer regions and those near the equator, including sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Oceania and parts of Central and South America and Southeast Asia.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The argument has been particularly prevalent in North Carolina, which, despite its status as a key swing state in this year's presidential election, is governed by a Republican legislative supermajority.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalent 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Insomnia is more prevalent among women and older adults.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The condition tends to be more prevalent in warmer regions and those near the equator, including sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Oceania and parts of Central and South America and Southeast Asia.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The argument has been particularly prevalent in North Carolina, which, despite its status as a key swing state in this year's presidential election, is governed by a Republican legislative supermajority.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
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 23 Nov. 2024.
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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