prevailing

American  

[pri-vey-ling] / prɪˈveɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. predominant.

   prevailing winds.

   Synonyms:

   prevalent, dominant, preponderant

2. generally current.

   the prevailing opinion.

   Synonyms:

   widespread, common

   Antonyms:

   rare

3. having superior power or influence.

4. effectual.

   Synonyms:

   effective

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prevailing British  

/ prɪˈveɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. generally accepted; widespread

   the prevailing opinion

2. most frequent or conspicuous; predominant

   the prevailing wind is from the north

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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

• prevailingly adverb
• prevailingness noun
• unprevailing adjective

Etymology

Origin of prevailing

First recorded in 1580–90; prevail + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The advice for drivers is familiar: prepare for delays, allow extra time for journeys and adjust your speed to the prevailing weather conditions.

From BBC

A hidden consequence of disasters, distinct from the traumas afflicting each person, was a shredding of “social life that damages the bonds attaching people together and impairs a prevailing sense of communality,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

The first lawsuit yielded a split decision this year, with the government winning some legal points and the company largely prevailing on tax calculations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another doji candle, indicating a change in the prevailing trend, provided that in late November.

From Barron's

The odds of the stock market rising in a given year are remarkably indifferent to prevailing market conditions.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• current
• predominant
• prevalent
• rampant
• universal
• usual