prevalent
Americanadjective
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widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
- Synonyms:
- common, far-reaching
-
having the superiority or ascendancy.
-
Archaic. effectual or efficacious.
adjective
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widespread or current
-
superior in force or power; predominant
Usage
What are other ways to say prevalent?
Something that is prevalent is widespread or in general use or acceptance. How is this adjective different from prevailing and current? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- nonprevalent adjective
- nonprevalently adverb
- prevalence noun
- prevalently adverb
- prevalentness noun
- unprevalent adjective
- unprevalently adverb
Etymology
Origin of prevalent
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin praevalent-, stem of praevalēns “having superior force,” present participle of praevalēre “to be more able, have superior force”; prevail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In addition, they are prevalent throughout the environment — in alpine snow, deep sea sediment and drinking water.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
The narrative quickly cuts to South London, where heartbreak's as prevalent as the pigeons.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Specifically, according to Alexander, “D-MER does tend to be more prevalent in those who have ADHD, are autistic, or people that have dealt with previous diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.”
From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026
Red foxes are one of the most prevalent carnivorous mammals globally and are found in Europe, Asia and North America as well as in parts of Africa.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
Certainly, both the beliefs and the tensions remained prevalent in early-eighteenth-century society.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
