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
The issue is prevalent in the US as well, with 60 million Americans experienced a mental illness in the past year, based on data from Mental Health America.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Despite these developments, however, dissonance has remained prevalent in their relationship as the Kremlin's attention increasingly turned to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Black cowboys have plied their trade since the beginning of the U.S. cattle industry and were especially prevalent during the great cattle drives north from Texas to Kansas in the post-Civil War era.
—Dan Kelly
july 19, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent due to climate change, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Despite these developments, however, dissonance has remained prevalent in their relationship as the Kremlin's attention increasingly turned to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Black cowboys have plied their trade since the beginning of the U.S. cattle industry and were especially prevalent during the great cattle drives north from Texas to Kansas in the post-Civil War era.
—Dan Kelly
july 19, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent due to climate change, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 18 July 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 23 Jul. 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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