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
Examples 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.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
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Unlike conventional robots made from rigid metals and gears, Clone’s creations are flexible and replicate the nuances of human tissue.Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
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Idaho’s big-game hunters generally think that modern hunting technology in the form of conventional optics and firearms, digital mapping services, and even ATVs and side-by-sides is acceptable.Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Sheila Ford Hamp stepped up to support general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell when the Detroit Lions were 4-18-1 under their leadership.Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
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Tickets for the events go on sale later this week, with a War Child presale taking place this Thursday (Jan. 16) before a general sale on Friday (Jan. 17) at 10 a.m. GMT.Thomas Smith, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The two women fought in 2019, with Ribas winning by unanimous decision.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Carter served as president from 1977-81, winning office as an outsider in the wake of the Vietnam War and Watergate.Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
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Captain Rohit Sharma could not even make it to the fifth Test, so abject his batting as a notably flustered persona took hold of his usual unflappable demeanour, while mighty Virat Kohli was reduced to a diminished figure after continually being baffled by Scott Boland.Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
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It was started on a Sunday in order to allow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority enough time to fix any kinks, during a day when traffic is quieter than usual.Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As mentioned, magnesium is an essential mineral in the body and plays a significant role in overall health.Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2025
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The Blue Jays originally drafted Hoffman as the ninth overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft, but traded him to Colorado in the deal that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Nations should be exploring chances for a lasting peace, and avoiding forever wars.William Lambers, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
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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
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Warner will lose the bulk of its NBA rights following the end of the current cycle, and in the fall, NBC will join ESPN and Amazon as the main U.S. rightsholders for the league.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
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Here’s a look back at how our current snowfall compares with previous seasons.Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prevailing
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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