pervasive

adjective

per·​va·​sive pər-ˈvā-siv How to pronounce pervasive (audio)
-ziv
: existing in or spreading through every part of something
a pervasive odor
pervasively adverb
pervasiveness noun

Did you know?

Is pervasive always negative?

Pervasive is most often used of things we don't really want spreading throughout all parts of something:

a pervasive problem

a stench that is pervasive

pervasive corruption

But pervasive can occasionally also be found in neutral and even positive contexts:

a pervasive rhythm

a pervasive sense of calm

The meaning isn't neutral when the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) uses it. Beginning in the early 1990s, the MPAA started giving the R rating to movies with "pervasive language." Most movies have language throughout, of course. The MPAA is using the phrase "pervasive language" to refer to the frequent use of a particular kind of language: profanity.

Examples of pervasive in a Sentence

A resuscitated orthodoxy, so pervasive as to be nearly invisible, rules the land. Mark Slouka, Harper's, November 2004
The manic money-grab excitement of the Nineties had never been altogether free of our pervasive American guilt. Norman Mailer, New York Review of Books, 27 Mar. 2002
Race was never articulated as an issue at the trial, even though its presence was pervasive. Howard Chua-Eoan, Time, 6 Mar. 2000
the pervasive nature of the problem television's pervasive influence on our culture
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Information overload is a pervasive issue for today’s leaders. Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 As the crew collaborates with locals to fabricate a trend, unexpected connections blossom while a pervasive health crisis looms unacknowledged in the background. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 Earn rewards on your spending: See the best credit cards According to the 2024 EBRI report and others, credit card debt is more pervasive among seniors than other kinds of debt. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024 Since then, courts across California have warned potential jurors of a much more pervasive scam; fraudsters who call people and pretend to be court employees, then demand payment for failing to appear for jury duty. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pervasive 

Word History

Etymology

see pervade

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pervasive was in 1736

Dictionary Entries Near pervasive

Cite this Entry

“Pervasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pervasive. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pervasive

adjective
per·​va·​sive pər-ˈvā-siv How to pronounce pervasive (audio)
-ziv
: spread throughout so thoroughly as to be seen or felt everywhere
the pervasive influence of television
the pervasive dampness of the mines
pervasively adverb
pervasiveness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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