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
-
However, the settlement is far from conventional in several ways.—
Joe Sabin,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
So close yet so far, Placer County, where Blue Lives Matter meets balayage, felt like the right location to artificially return my fortysomething face to a state of more conventional youthful attractiveness.—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Also out: general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Mélanie Turpin has been named general manager of human resources.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Apr. 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
-
While the set seems a bit on the chintzy side, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt does his usual stellar work, assisted immensely by Ken Billington’s full-of-pizzazz lighting design.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
That’s not to say there isn’t more cleanup than usual between showings.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The employees' data, which goes back to 2015, showed that in March 2015 the overall vacancy rate was 9.3%.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2025
-
While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Nations should be exploring chances for a lasting peace, and avoiding forever wars.—
William Lambers,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Similar goals could benefit other organizations by fostering trust, broadening reach and demonstrating a commitment to equity—key elements in building lasting community relationships.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Explore Billboard See latest videos, charts and news News of Cadd’s condition was shared on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 8 (Australian time), with a statement from his family revealing his current health status.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
8 Apr. 2025
-
As for the current status of her relationship with her ex, Richards recently shared some insight into their differences.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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