pervasive
gb/pɚvˈeɪsɪv/ us/pɚvˈeɪsɪv/
C1
English
~ 8500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
Widespread or commonly found
Existing in many places or in many parts of a group or system, and hard to avoid.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pervasive (in [area/group])
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "pervasive" with "persuasive." "Pervasive" means that something exists everywhere or in many parts of a place or group. "Persuasive" means good at convincing people. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition: we usually say something is "pervasive in" or "pervasive throughout" a place or group, not *"pervasive on" a place.
Synonyms
widespread (More common and slightly simpler; does not always suggest something negative or hard to avoid.)
|
common (Everyday and very general; weaker and less formal than "pervasive.")
|
rampant (Emphasizes that something bad is growing or spreading out of control, often more emotional than "pervasive.")
Antonyms
rare (Stresses that something happens infrequently, the opposite of being widely present.)
|
isolated (Suggests something happens only in a few separate cases or places, not all through a system or society.)
Collocations
pervasive problem
|pervasive influence
|pervasive myth
|pervasive belief
|pervasive corruption
|pervasive use
Themes
society
|culture
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Online misinformation has become so pervasive that many people struggle to know what to trust.
- The report found pervasive corruption at every level of the organization.
- Racism remains a pervasive problem in many parts of the world.
- There is a pervasive myth that working longer hours always leads to better results.
- Smartphone use is now so pervasive that it has changed the way people communicate.
Learner examples
- Corruption is pervasive in some governments.
- Smartphones are pervasive in modern life.
- A pervasive myth says that sugar always makes children hyper.
- Pollution is pervasive in the big city.
- Sexism is still a pervasive problem in some workplaces.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
Present in every part
Existing in all parts of something, like a smell, mood, or feeling that you notice everywhere in that place or situation.
Usage pattern:
a pervasive sense of [feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "strong" instead of "pervasive" for smells or feelings. "Strong" only describes intensity, while "pervasive" adds the idea that the smell or feeling is everywhere in that space. Also, do not say *"very pervasive" too often; "pervasive" already suggests something is widespread, so the adverb is usually unnecessary.
Synonyms
all-encompassing (Suggests covering or including everything; can sound slightly more formal and grand than "pervasive.")
|
deep-seated (Focuses more on something being firmly fixed or long-standing inside people, not necessarily spread through every physical part.)
Antonyms
localized (Describes something limited to one small area rather than spread through the whole space or situation.)
|
faint (For smells or feelings, suggests they are weak or barely noticeable, the opposite of strongly present everywhere.)
Collocations
pervasive smell
|pervasive odor
|pervasive sense of fear
|pervasive tension
|pervasive sadness
|pervasive atmosphere
Themes
emotions
|environment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a pervasive smell of smoke throughout the building.
- A pervasive sense of sadness hung over the town after the factory closed.
- The movie creates a pervasive atmosphere of tension from the very first scene.
- Despite the celebration, a pervasive unease remained in the room.
- In the office, there is a pervasive culture of blame that affects every team.
Learner examples
- There was a pervasive smell of paint in the house.
- A pervasive sense of fear filled the streets at night.
- The room had a pervasive feeling of calm.
- After the news, there was a pervasive silence in the classroom.
- In the city, noise is pervasive, even late at night.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pervasive
IPA
GB/pɚvˈeɪsɪv/
US/pɚvˈeɪsɪv/
Syllables & stress
per - vas - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pervasive
Word family
Core family
Related words
permeate
verb C1
widespread
adjective B1
Expressions
a pervasive sense of
1/ə pɚvˈeɪsɪv sˈɛns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
A feeling present everywhere
Used before a noun for a feeling, to say that this feeling is everywhere in a place or situation, or shared by many people.
Examples
- There was a pervasive sense of fear in the city after the attacks.
- A pervasive sense of optimism has returned to the markets.
- In the company, a pervasive sense of frustration led many employees to quit.
pervasive influence
1/pɚvˈeɪsɪv ˈɪnfluəns/
fixed phrase
formal
Influence affecting many parts
An effect or power that reaches many areas or people and is hard to escape.
Examples
- The internet has a pervasive influence on how we get news.
- Her parents’ values had a pervasive influence on her career choices.
- The film explores the pervasive influence of social media on teenagers.
pervasive problem
1/pɚvˈeɪsɪv pɹˈɑbləm/
fixed phrase
formal
Problem found in many places
A problem that is found in many places or parts of a system, and is not limited to one small area.
Examples
- Bullying is a pervasive problem in many schools.
- The study shows that poverty is a pervasive problem in rural areas.
- Corruption remains a pervasive problem despite new laws.