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
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
Just how women are gravitating more toward luxury cars, gender stereotypes are becoming less prevalent across all categories, Lunelli said.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Improving pelvic-floor function could help reduce groin injuries, which are prevalent in female footballers.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The revelation by Politico that racist and antisemitic remarks were made in a Telegram group containing senior young Republicans has sparked a major controversy, including questions about how prevalent such attitudes are within the GOP.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Music activations are a natural next step given how prevalent virtual concerts have become in the past several years, with video game platforms like Fortnite and Roblox hosting concerts for a wide range of acts like Travis Scott, Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X among others.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Improving pelvic-floor function could help reduce groin injuries, which are prevalent in female footballers.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The revelation by Politico that racist and antisemitic remarks were made in a Telegram group containing senior young Republicans has sparked a major controversy, including questions about how prevalent such attitudes are within the GOP.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Music activations are a natural next step given how prevalent virtual concerts have become in the past several years, with video game platforms like Fortnite and Roblox hosting concerts for a wide range of acts like Travis Scott, Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X among others.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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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