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
-
There was no conventional way to insert the centre-forward Arsenal had been so painfully lacking in the first 69 minutes of the match.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
But a truly effective Iron Dome system is hard to imagine without a laser component, given the high-speed nature and possibilities of being overwhelmed and running out of conventional air defense missiles.—
James Stavridis,
The Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The specifics of forecast models this far out in time can change dramatically, so this is just a general idea of how storms could behave and not a high-confidence, detailed forecast.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Last season, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired both coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas amidst a disappointing 5-12 season.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 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
-
And of course Taylor Swift was there as usual to cheer on her boyfriend Travis Kelce.—
Jane Tyska,
The Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Automakers typically design models for seven-year life cycles, at a usual cost of about $1 billion.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Maryland improved to 20-6 overall and 10-5 in the Big Ten and reached 10 wins in the conference for only the second time in the last five years (11-9 in 2022-23, coach Kevin Willard’s first season).—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The overall box office is up 22% compared to last year, due in part to the SAG-AFTRA strike that disrupted the 2024 release calendar, according to Dergarabedian.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN,
16 Feb. 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
-
Contrary to many current perceptions, remote and hybrid working arrangements are not a product of the COVID era.—
John M. Bremen,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
-
In our current healthcare landscape, that is undeniable.—
Tim Botos,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prevailing
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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