prevailing

[ pri-vey-ling ]

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

prevailing

/ prɪˈveɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. generally accepted; widespread

   the prevailing opinion

2. most frequent or conspicuous; predominant

   the prevailing wind is from the north

Derived Forms

• preˈvailingly, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·vailing·ly adverb
• pre·vailing·ness noun
• unpre·vailing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevailing¹

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

Example Sentences

With Donald Trump winning the popular vote on his third shot, we need a fresh analysis of America’s prevailing political culture.

From Salon

Injuries are a factor, but the prevailing reason is the length of a season which began with the United Cup on 29 December last year.

From BBC

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said he is not worried about non-Latino candidates prevailing in the Eastside contests.

From Los Angeles Times

Most of Mandi’s customers are Europeans, a trend he attributes to a prevailing preference among many Africans for foreign products.

From BBC

They were also very different to the prevailing trend of pitches in Pakistan.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.