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View synonyms for

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:

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

    They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms:

  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

/ ɪˈɪ /

verb

  1. often foll byover or against 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. often foll byon or upon to succeed in persuading or inducing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·İ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prevail1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English prevayllen “to grow very strong,” from Latin 𱹲ŧ “to be more able,” equivalent to prae- “before, in front” + ŧ “to be strong”; pre-, prevalent
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prevail1

C14: from Latin 𱹲ŧ to be superior in strength, from prae beyond + ŧ to be strong
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Every era has a prevailing model, and it's natural that most teams move towards it.

From

Neither boxer could land the telling blow but it was the experience of Eubank, 35, which prevailed as all three judges scored it 116-112.

From

At that time the research was already accumulating, but the idea went counter to the prevailing view in neuroscience.

From

Trump, meanwhile, is opposing Maine on conservative ideological grounds using federal funding as the cudgel to prevail.

From

This spirit of loss prevails throughout each of these tautly rendered final episodes in which Cassian becomes the unsung hub around which the revolution spins.

From

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