- present participle of prevail.
prevailing
Americanadjective
-
prevailing winds.
- Synonyms:
- prevalent, dominant, preponderant
-
generally current.
the prevailing opinion.
- Synonyms:
- widespread, common
- Antonyms:
- rare
-
having superior power or influence.
-
- Synonyms:
- effective
adjective
-
generally accepted; widespread
the prevailing opinion
-
most frequent or conspicuous; predominant
the prevailing wind is from the north
Usage
What are other ways to say prevailing?
Something that is prevailing is generally current. What’s the difference between prevailing, current, and prevalent? Find out on Thesaurus.com.Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prevailing
Explanation
Something that is prevalent or most common can be described as prevailing. The prevailing opinion in your family might be that your cousin Bob who sleeps in his closet is certifiably insane. The adjective prevailing comes from the Latin words prae, meaning before, and valere, meaning to be strong or have power. The English word maintains that sense of strength and predominance. If you live a couple of miles north of a pig farm, and the weatherman says that the prevailing winds will be from the south and gusty, it's probably a good day to keep your windows closed.
Vocabulary lists containing prevailing
Grade 10, List 3
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Metamorphosis
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
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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.
The prevailing aural color works best in the gentler sections, such as Niamara’s appealing aria, “Love, love, come to me.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
But the 29-year-old ensured he will avoid that tag by prevailing against Italy's Flavio Cobolli in the Roland Garros final - his 41st appearance at a major.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The prevailing theory suggested that blue cones formed in the center of the retina and later migrated outward.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026
The research results counter the prevailing view that the stock market is so efficient that it almost immediately reflects anything reported in the financial news.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 4, 2026
That would have required many of the social forces of the time to have been different—including the prevailing belief that slavery was natural and right.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
