prevail

verb

pri-VAYL/pɹɪˈveɪl/

Formsprevails, prevailing, prevailed

5 meanings of prevail

Practice

1
verbintransitive
To be stronger or have more power than others.
Like a tug-of-war where the stronger side pulls the rope across the line.
Stronger teams usually prevail over weaker ones.
In a fight, the bigger animal often prevails.
Similardominate, predominate, triumph, win
Oppositelose, yield, succumb
Note
2
verbintransitive
To win after a hard fight or struggle.
Like winning a long game after falling behind early.
Good teams prevail when the players work together.
She fought hard and finally prevailed.
Similartriumph, win, succeed, conquer
Oppositelose, fail
Note
3
verbintransitive
To be common or found in most places at a certain time.
Like one color that shows up on almost every house on the street.
Old customs still prevail in the village.
Cold weather prevails here for most of the winter.
Similarpredominate, reign, dominate
Note
4
verbintransitive
To talk someone into doing something.
Like asking a friend again and again until they finally say yes.
Friends often prevail upon each other for small favors.
She prevailed upon the committee to change the rules.
Similarpersuade, induce, convince, coax
Oppositedissuade
Note

Less common meaning

5
verbobsoletetransitive
To help someone or do them some good.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin praevaleō 'be more able, be superior', made from prae 'before' and valeō 'be able or powerful'. It came into English through Old French and Middle English.