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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025 -
According to a from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, Hegseth emphasized the need for NATO allies to shoulder more responsibility for Europe's conventional defense.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Primaries not needed Spanberger and Earle-Sears can both skip competing in a primary and will instead head straight into the general face-off.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Defensive line and tackle on offense remain priorities, but could there be a choice outside the trenches that’s too tempting to ignore? Chiefs general manager Brett Veach leaves open that possibility.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 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
-
For example, the fires in New Jersey this week have been part of trend: So far in 2025, New Jersey has experienced nearly twice as many wildfires as usual.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Rosemary Oil Shampoo Add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo and wash your hair as usual.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When tasked with detailing one important notion regarding maternal health and the overall health of Black women, Dr. King declares that optimizing one’s well-being should not start at pregnancy.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Trump’s overall job approval is also underwater, with 51% of respondents expressing disapproval and 44% expressing approval.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Our customers are drawn to pieces that hold lasting value and significance.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
With an ambitious goal to become the second largest in the coming years, TMN is focusing on delivering high-quality content, strategic expansion, and creating lasting partnerships that fuel its growth.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While the English top flight stands out globally for its elite level of football, the choice of listening material among its current managers is much more middle of the road, with Coldplay the band most cited during our writers’ research.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
After all, only six No. 8 seeds have eliminated a No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs since the current 16-team NBA playoff format was instituted for the 1983-84 season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share