All words

pervasive

Meaning

Extending or spread throughout a particular area or group.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

The fear was so pervasive that it seemed to be in every corner of the school. No matter where the students went, they could feel it around them. It spread through every part of their day until it felt impossible to escape.

The sadness was pervasive, a heavy blanket over everything. Every room felt cold, every smile forced. It spread through their home, touching each person, making joy impossible to find.

The anxiety of job hunting had become so pervasive that Mark could barely sleep. Every conversation, every news headline, every silent moment seemed to remind him of his uncertain future, seeping into every corner of his daily life like an unshakable shadow.

In our house, the smell of burnt toast was so pervasive that even the goldfish in the living room looked worried. It wasn’t just in the kitchen—it had spread through every part of the house, invading closets, bedrooms, and even Grandpa’s mustache.

The smell of burnt toast was pervasive. It was in the curtains, in the dog's fur, and even in my dreams. I think a tiny toast monster might be living in the toaster, spreading its smoky stink everywhere.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

The pervasive smell of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen, wafting through every corner of the house and making everyone's mouths water.

The pervasive aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the neighborhood streets, enticing passersby with its irresistible scent. Its sweetness lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the cozy warmth and comfort within the nearby bakery.

The darkness in the abandoned house was oppressive, suffocating. Every creak of the floorboards and whisper of the wind felt like icy fingers tracing down the spine. But it was the pervasive sense of dread that truly consumed her. It seemed to seep through the walls, infecting every corner of the decrepit building with its malevolence. She could almost hear the sinister laughter echoing in the empty rooms, mocking her fear. As she stumbled through the hallway, the feeling of being watched intensified, sending shivers down her spine. The pervasive evil of the house was inescapable, swallowing her whole.

The pungent, metallic stench was pervasive throughout the dilapidated house. The air hung heavy with its oppressive presence, invading every nook and cranny, seeping into their clothes and clinging to their skin. The occupants' nostrils flared in disgust, but there was no escape from the nauseating odor that permeated their very being.

In the land of Elysium, magic was pervasive, flowing through the trees, the rivers, and even the very air itself. Every being, from the smallest fairy to the mightiest dragon, was touched by its power. The pervasive magic filled the hearts of the people with wonder and awe, guiding them in their daily lives. It was said that those who truly embraced the magic could wield unimaginable power, shaping the world around them with a mere thought. And so, the people of Elysium lived in harmony with the pervasive magic, knowing that it was a part of their very existence.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

The cold was so pervasive in the old house that it seemed to reach into every corner and every room. No matter how many blankets we used or how high we turned up the heater, the chill surrounded us completely and refused to fade.

The silence in the abandoned house was so deep, it felt pervasive. It seeped into every dusty corner, every creaking floorboard, a heavy blanket of nothingness that pressed in on all sides, a palpable sense of past lives now gone.

The anxiety of job hunting had become pervasive, seeping into every corner of Mark's life. He couldn't escape thoughts of unemployment, which haunted his morning coffee, his evening walks, and even his dreams, turning each moment into a reminder of his uncertain future.

Fred’s fear of clowns was so pervasive, it spread through every part of his life—even birthday cakes reminded him of red noses. Whenever he heard a honking horn, he dove under tables, convinced that no corner was safe from balloon animals and unsettling laughter.

The aroma of burnt toast was so pervasive it clung to every sock, every forgotten gym shoe, and even the lingering scent of despair from Monday mornings. You couldn't escape its acrid embrace; it infiltrated the very air, a greasy, smoky shroud of breakfast gone wrong, mocking your every inhalation.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

The anxiety in the office became so pervasive that even casual conversations felt strained. It was not just in whispered complaints or tense meetings but seemed to exist in every glance, every unfinished sentence, spreading through the workplace until no one could remember when it had not been there.

The oppressive silence felt pervasive, a heavy blanket suffocating every room. It wasn't just a lack of sound; it was a tangible presence, a consequence of unspoken grievances that seeped into the very foundation of their strained coexistence, rendering genuine connection impossible.

The anxiety of waiting consumed her, its tendrils seeping into every thought. She recognized this pervasive unease, how it infiltrated her muscles, her breathing, her peripheral vision, making each moment feel like an endless anticipation of something undefined yet overwhelming.

The smell of burnt popcorn was so pervasive in the office that no amount of febreze, window-flinging, or desperate fanning could combat its relentless siege; it infiltrated every crevice, clinging tenaciously to staplers, coffee mugs, and even the boss’s toupee, transforming the workplace into a corn-scented dystopia.

The eau de old gym sock was absolutely pervasive throughout the entire arena, a truly egregious olfactory assault. It clung to the very upholstery, an odorous miasma that could curdle milk at fifty paces, making even the most stoic spectator question their life choices.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

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