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
Synonyms
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
Across the state, shoplifting rates rose during the same time period but were still lower than the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while commercial burglaries and robberies have become more prevalent in urban counties, the study says.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2024
Head Lice Head lice are most prevalent among children and those living with them.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
As large language models become more prevalent, choosing the right training data for safety alignment is crucial.
—Hessie Jones, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
These motifs and explorations have become more prevalent since returning to Nigeria after studying at the Slade.
—Precious Adesina, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalent 
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2024
Head Lice Head lice are most prevalent among children and those living with them.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
As large language models become more prevalent, choosing the right training data for safety alignment is crucial.
—Hessie Jones, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
These motifs and explorations have become more prevalent since returning to Nigeria after studying at the Slade.
—Precious Adesina, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalent
Dictionary Entries Near prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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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