pervasive
/pəˈveɪ.sɪv/
Group 11Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Spreading widely throughout an area or group of people GRE
Example in Context
The pervasive influence of social media on political opinion has fundamentally altered the dynamics of democratic discourse.
Synonyms
widespreadprevalentcommon
Etymology
Spreading through — found everywhere.
- per- (Latin) — through
- vadere (Latin) — to go
Memory Aid
🏺Sounds like “per vase”
A vase spilling flowers everywhere, saying 'My scent is PERVASIVE, you can’t escape it!'
Visual Association
🌍A vivid flower garden where the fragrance fills the entire neighborhood.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pervasive” mean on the GRE?
pervasive (adjective) means “Spreading widely throughout an area or group of people”. The pervasive influence of social media on political opinion has fundamentally altered the dynamics of democratic discourse.
How to remember “pervasive” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pervasive” sounds like “per vase”. A vase spilling flowers everywhere, saying 'My scent is PERVASIVE, you can’t escape it!'
What are synonyms for “pervasive”?
Common synonyms: widespread, prevalent, common.