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
Elsewhere, warnings of critical fire conditions were active from north-central Texas to southern Illinois and were prevalent in states such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Nebraska.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Those parts are prevalent in electric vehicles, cell phones and other electronics.
—John Liu, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Driving the news: Impostor scams were the most prevalent in Tennessee last year, per FTC reports.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation, which is often more prevalent with higher percentages of urea.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Those parts are prevalent in electric vehicles, cell phones and other electronics.
—John Liu, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Driving the news: Impostor scams were the most prevalent in Tennessee last year, per FTC reports.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation, which is often more prevalent with higher percentages of urea.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 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 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈprev(-ə)-lənt
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area
prevalently
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share