- present participle of prevail.
prevailing
Usage
What are other ways to say prevailing?
The adjective prevailing refers to that which has superseded others in its presence: prevailing fashion. That which is prevalent exists or is spread widely: a prevalent idea. That which is current is in general circulation or a matter of common knowledge or acceptance: current usage in English.
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.
Although that's one prevailing narrative, the answer is almost certainly no.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
It challenges prevailing power structures and asks people to reconsider their established notions of right and wrong.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
Speaking to fire officials and scientists, the prevailing sentiment is there’s much we don’t know about the fire’s impact and how long recovery will take — or if it will ever even look the same.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
SoftBank’s first announced tenant in a new data-center push is OpenAI, which signed a lease with SoftBank for a 1.2-gigawatt facility that could cost around $2 billion a year in rent, based on prevailing rates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Between a third and a half of the American people, he guessed, had been indifferent and floated with the prevailing tide of the moment.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
![]()
Vocabulary lists containing prevailing
Grade 10, List 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Metamorphosis
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!