prevail

verb

pre·vail | \ pri-ˈvāl

prevailed; prevailing; prevails

Definition of prevail

intransitive verb

1 : to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority : triumph

2 : to be or become effective or effectual

3 : to use persuasion successfully prevailed on him to sing

4 : to be frequent : predominate the west winds that prevail in the mountains

5 : to be or continue in use or fashion : persist a custom that still prevails

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about prevail

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Synonyms & Antonyms for prevail

Synonyms

conquer, triumph, win

Antonyms

lose

Examples of prevail in a Sentence

Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here. The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s. The law still prevails in some states.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Erfurt, traditional Christmas markets prevail Erfurt is Thuringia’s capital city, as well as its largest city overall, with a population of over 200,000. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Touring Germany’s Most Festive Christmas Markets," 18 Dec. 2018 Ocasio-Cortez is far from the only politician from modest means who has struggled to find a new home after prevailing on Election Day. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a point about housing for Congress," 21 Nov. 2018 In the ballet world, where binary gender roles have prevailed onstage and off, the statistics have been especially egregious. — Amy Fine Collins, Marie Claire, "Female Choreographers Take Center Stage at American Ballet Theater," 10 Oct. 2018 If the groups prevail, the court could order a new deadline, a requirement that tends to carry more weight. — Heidi Vogt, WSJ, "Trump Administration Sued Over Giraffes and Endangered Species List," 6 Dec. 2018 If Harris prevails, Republicans will continue to hold 10 of the 13 seats within the North Carolina delegation. — Gary D. Robertson, The Seattle Times, "North Carolina board delays finalizing congressional result," 27 Nov. 2018 But if the Justice Department ultimately prevails in its appeal, AT&T would have to detach the Time Warner business, now renamed Warner Media. — New York Times, "AT&T-Time Warner Deal Approval Gets Justice Department Challenge," 12 July 2018 But if the Justice Department ultimately prevails in its appeal, AT&T would have to detach the Time Warner business, now renamed Warner Media. — BostonGlobe.com, "Justice Department plans appeal of AT&T-Time Warner merger approval," 12 July 2018 But even if the nominee prevails, the argument won’t entirely end: Collins’ current term in the Senate, her fourth, runs up in 2020. — David Lauter, latimes.com, "As Trump readies Supreme Court pick, Democrats prepare a fight even though a loss is likely," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prevail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.