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
-
His humorous, bone-dry documentary gets at more than most, first by being a meta-confessional about how his own efforts to make a conventional movie failed.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Those guidelines include providing alt text on images so that people with visual impairments who use automatic readers can understand images, offering audio descriptions for people with hearing disabilities, and making all websites operable by keyboard for users who can’t use a conventional mouse.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Could general manager Brian Cashman go a different route and add another ace by trading for San Diego Padres hurler Dylan Cease?—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is like the relentless sharp in your fantasy league who always seems a step ahead.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 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
-
Lately, 17-year-old Chewie's health has been deteriorating, which Ripa has been heartbreakingly honest about on the morning show, but on Tuesday, the dog seemed her usual perky self, Ripa said.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Chappell Roan This year’s category is, as usual, stacked with some questionable math on the definition of a new artist.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In overall interest and most other ways, this is definitely the warmup act to Chiefs-Bills, but intriguing nonetheless.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
-
One analysis found that roughly a quarter of the overall dryness in the Los Angeles area can be attributed to climate change.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
23 Jan. 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
-
Riley worked closely with Dave Emerick, USC’s current general manager, on all personnel matters.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Most current Dallas Cowboys players weren’t born when the franchise last played a game beyond the divisional round on Jan. 14, 1996.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prevailing
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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