pervasiveness

[ per-vey-siv-nis ]

noun

1. the condition or state of being spread throughout something or somewhere:

   Health authorities have underestimated the pervasiveness of serious influenza cases in the city because only patients admitted to intensive care units are considered severe.

   With the growing pervasiveness of the internet, more and more people are searching for and purchasing goods online.

Other Words From

• in·ter·per·va·sive·ness noun
• non·per·va·sive·ness noun
• un·per·va·sive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervasiveness¹

pervasive ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

The survey described the pervasiveness of homelessness in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

“Understanding the dynamics and pervasiveness of situational power is essential to learning how to resist it,” he wrote in 2002, “and to weaken the dominance of the many agents of mind control who ply their trade daily on all of us behind many faces and fronts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Harris-Till thinks the presence of ammunition machines in grocery stores exemplifies the pervasiveness of guns in America and the need for stricter regulations.

From Slate

“The lack of reassurance by the city commission to the black citizens,” Pittman wrote, indicated the “pervasiveness of the fear of white backlash” and a “failure by elected officials to take positive, vigorous, affirmative action in matters which are of such vital concern to the black people.”

From Slate

One of the most unexpected and useful insights I’ve gleaned during my years perusing Reddit involves narcissism, especially its seeming pervasiveness and its power to explain the otherwise inexplicable behavior of the most difficult people in public and private life.

From Slate

Related Words

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