C2adjectiveformalsocietymedia
US/pərˈveɪ.sɪv/
UK/pəˈveɪ.sɪv/
spreading through every part of something, often in a way that is hard to stop
In context
The smell of fish sauce was pervasive in the small kitchen.
Social media has a pervasive influence on how teenagers see themselves.
Corruption was so pervasive that people expected to pay bribes for everything.
Words that go with pervasive
adjective + noun
- pervasive influenceTelevision had a pervasive influence on family life in the 1990s.
- pervasive problemPlastic waste is a pervasive problem in coastal towns.
- pervasive senseThere was a pervasive sense of fear in the city after the attack.
- pervasive effectPoverty has a pervasive effect on children's health.
adverb + adjective
- increasingly pervasiveOnline advertising has become increasingly pervasive.
adjective + preposition
- pervasive inGender stereotypes are still pervasive in advertising.