as in widespread
existing in every part of something; spreading to all parts of something
A pervasive smell filled the room. the pervasive nature of the problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pervasive
The film, which will be shown at the Laguna Woods Performing Arts Center on Monday, Feb. 24, puts a glaring but overdue spotlight on the pervasive yet often ignored or misperceived scourge of ageism.
—
Daniella Walsh, Orange County Register, 23 Feb. 2025
Both the fear of being reported by colleagues and the fear of being punished for not reporting colleagues quickly led to a pervasive loss of trust and communication, my sources told me.
—Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also a pervasive stereotype that Black people do not enjoy activities like hiking, which discourages some people from trying it in the first place.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The potential precursor to a lawsuit is the latest in a series of political and legal disputes that has created a pervasive, contentious environment at Poway's City Hall.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Daniella Walsh, Orange County Register, 23 Feb. 2025
Both the fear of being reported by colleagues and the fear of being punished for not reporting colleagues quickly led to a pervasive loss of trust and communication, my sources told me.
—Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2025
There’s also a pervasive stereotype that Black people do not enjoy activities like hiking, which discourages some people from trying it in the first place.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The potential precursor to a lawsuit is the latest in a series of political and legal disputes that has created a pervasive, contentious environment at Poway's City Hall.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervasive
Adjective
-
The case has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about the school’s handling of the situation and the broader issue of bullying tied to immigration under Donald Trump’s presidency.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Early in the pandemic, Janet Woodcock, then the head of the FDA’s drug center, reportedly sprang into action to prevent widespread distribution of the unproven COVID treatment hydroxychloroquine over the orders of top Trump officials.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Mavericks have endured a number of injuries to their roster, and the loss of Dončić is something no one saw coming due to the ownership and general manager Nico Harrison.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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These three new books explore such decelerations, and seek to move from urbanism toward a more general political philosophy.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This could result from machine-learning algorithms adapting to prevalent language patterns, leading to unexpected transcriptions.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Although prevalent in denim, indigo has a footprint that extends to art and craft, as well as spirituality and science.—
Carved in Blue,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighborhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.—
The Glamour editors,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2025
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Whatever the club’s reasoning, there was something familiar and troubling about this disappointing deadline paralysis.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pervasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervasive. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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