pervasive

adjective

Definition of pervasivenext
as in widespread
existing in every part of something; spreading to all parts of something A pervasive smell filled the room. the pervasive nature of the problem

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pervasive Sandy had spent much of the deployment deliberately avoiding Facebook because rumors about missile attacks and the ship’s condition were pervasive. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026 How is the silence so pervasive and, at the same time, so opaque? — Baptiste Mandrillon, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 The drug use was so pervasive, and it was also linked a lot to being inspired and being excited. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026 Meta owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and its pervasive internet presence — along with the app’s relatively easy interface — largely drove the AI agent’s success. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pervasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervasive
  1. widespread
  2. general
  3. prevalent
  4. familiar
  5. prevailing
Adjective
  • That sentiment is even stronger now than in 2022, when Lula benefited from widespread opposition to Jair Bolsonaro after a presidency marked by controversy over his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Together, these approaches transformed the fight against a disease that once caused widespread paralysis and outbreaks, particularly among children.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of widespread
Adjective
  • Jason Reynolds, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of Integrated Air and Missile Defense, described RIG-360 as critical to PAC-3 operations and in-flight performance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Vance has faced general questions about his association with Carlson, a former Fox News host who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast.
    — Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Among the many reports the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had to contend with since moving to the UK, that has been one of the more prevalent ones.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For Jones, the most prevalent conversation starter is current-day prejudices.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevalent
Adjective
  • The answer is that there are some cases where quantum waves interfere constructively and give rise to a pattern familiar from classical physics.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For experienced yogis, doing yoga from a chair can offer new ways to explore familiar movements, says Pate, who incorporates a chair into many of her regular yoga classes.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    — Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prevailing

Browse Nearby Words

pervasions
pervasive
perverse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pervasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervasive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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