Pervasive: meaning, definitions and examples

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pervasive

 

[pərˈveɪsɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

widespread influence

Existing in or spreading through every part of something; prevalent.

Synonyms

prevalent, ubiquitous, universal, widespread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pervasive

Used to describe something negative or unpleasant that is present throughout or widespread in an area or group of people.

  • Corruption is pervasive in many countries.
  • The pervasive smell of smoke made it hard to breathe.
ubiquitous

Describes something that seems to be everywhere at once, often used for neutral or positive meanings.

  • Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
  • Social media is ubiquitous among teenagers.
prevalent

Refers to something common or widespread at a particular time or in a particular place, often implying a trend or pattern.

  • Obesity is more prevalent in urban areas.
  • Online shopping has become more prevalent in recent years.
widespread

Used to describe something that is spread over a large area or among many people, often neutral or slightly negative.

  • The disease is widespread in tropical regions.
  • There was widespread support for the new policy.
universal

Indicates something that is common to all people, places, or things, typically used to describe concepts, experiences, or truths.

  • A desire for freedom is a universal human right.
  • The need for love and belonging is universal.

Examples of usage

  • The pervasive smell of coffee in the office
  • The pervasive nature of social media in today's society
Context #2 | Adjective

negative connotation

Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people, often in a negative way.

Synonyms

penetrating, pervading, rampant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pervasive

Used to describe something that is widespread and present everywhere, often in a negative sense.

  • The corruption in the government was pervasive
  • Technology has become a pervasive part of our daily lives
rampant

Used to describe something that is spreading quickly in an unchecked manner, typically having a strongly negative connotation.

  • The disease was rampant in the overcrowded city
  • Rumors ran rampant after the scandal broke
pervading

Used to describe something that spreads throughout every part of something, typically referring to a less tangible quality or influence.

  • A sense of unease pervaded the room
  • The smell of cinnamon pervaded the entire house
penetrating

Used to describe something that has the ability to enter deeply into something, either physically or metaphorically. Often used for sounds, smells, or insights.

  • She has a penetrating gaze that seems to see right through you
  • The siren's penetrating sound could be heard from miles away

Examples of usage

  • The pervasive corruption in the government
  • The pervasive sense of fear in the community

Translations

Translations of the word "pervasive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pervasivo

🇮🇳 व्यापक

🇩🇪 allgegenwärtig

🇮🇩 meluas

🇺🇦 всепроникаючий

🇵🇱 wszechobecny

🇯🇵 普及している (ふきゅうしている)

🇫🇷 omniprésent

🇪🇸 omnipresente

🇹🇷 yaygın

🇰🇷 널리 퍼진

🇸🇦 منتشر

🇨🇿 všudypřítomný

🇸🇰 všadeprítomný

🇨🇳 普遍的 (pǔbiàn de)

🇸🇮 vsesplošen

🇮🇸 útbreiddur

🇰🇿 кең таралған

🇬🇪 მიზანი

🇦🇿 yayılmış

🇲🇽 omnipresente

Etymology

The word 'pervasive' comes from the Latin word 'pervadere', which means 'to spread through'. It first appeared in English in the early 19th century. The concept of something being pervasive implies a sense of thoroughness and universality in its influence. The word is commonly used in various contexts to describe something that is widespread and all-encompassing.

See also: pervading.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,189, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.