prevail

[pri-veyl]

verb (used without object)

1. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally.

   Silence prevailed along the funeral route.

2. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate.

   Green tints prevail in the upholstery.

   Synonyms: preponderate

3. to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually followed byover ).

   They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.

   Synonyms: overcome
   Antonyms: lose

4. to succeed; become dominant; win out.

   to wish that the right side might prevail.

5. to use persuasion or inducement successfully.

   He prevailed upon us to accompany him.

prevail

/ prɪˈveɪl /

verb

1. to prove superior; gain mastery

   skill will prevail

2. to be or appear as the most important feature; be prevalent

3. to exist widely; be in force

4. to succeed in persuading or inducing

Other Word Forms

• prevailer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevail¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English prevayllen “to grow very strong,” from Latin praevalēre “to be more able,” equivalent to prae- “before, in front” + valēre “to be strong”; pre-, prevalent

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevail¹

C14: from Latin praevalēre to be superior in strength, from prae beyond + valēre to be strong

Example Sentences

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table - but their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.

Read more on BBC

But the prevailing mood was one of exhaustion.

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He said he ended the game on a good note, “having completely liberated West Africa from French and American influence, and peace and tranquility prevailed throughout.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In what started as a pitchers’ duel between two dominant starters, then morphed into a battle of the bullpens, the Dodgers prevailed with a rally in the 11th.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But, he adds hopefully: "Even though I'm sad about this situation, we will overcome, we'll find solutions, and I'm sure in the end reason will prevail."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abound 
• beat 
• overcome 
• prove 
• reign 
• succeed 
• triumph 
• win