1
as in wins
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in survives
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs
a custom that still prevails in many areas of Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prevails
What prevails is efficiency, rather than respect for freedom and human dignity.
—
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
But in the postseason, when team identities teeter, moxie prevails.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Jack and the Man in Black have an epic battle, and Jack prevails.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
The American Dream is a myth that claims that great ambition and hard work will be rewarded, but the American Experience isn’t one in which virtue prevails.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
An upbeat party atmosphere prevails inside the Wiener Stadthalle arena and in the separate Eurovision Village fan zone.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
With Tehran engaged in high-stakes peace negotiations, the outcome could determine which faction prevails in the next phase of the Islamic Republic.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
In these situations, if the stakes for one side are existential and for the other much lower, the side with the higher stakes usually prevails.
—Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Overall, the impression prevails that journalists, at least in routine reporting, use digital tools only as a new access route to established sources.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
But in the postseason, when team identities teeter, moxie prevails.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Jack and the Man in Black have an epic battle, and Jack prevails.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
The American Dream is a myth that claims that great ambition and hard work will be rewarded, but the American Experience isn’t one in which virtue prevails.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
An upbeat party atmosphere prevails inside the Wiener Stadthalle arena and in the separate Eurovision Village fan zone.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
With Tehran engaged in high-stakes peace negotiations, the outcome could determine which faction prevails in the next phase of the Islamic Republic.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
In these situations, if the stakes for one side are existential and for the other much lower, the side with the higher stakes usually prevails.
—Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Overall, the impression prevails that journalists, at least in routine reporting, use digital tools only as a new access route to established sources.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevails
Verb
-
Whoever wins the primary is expected to prevail in the general, as the state currently leans Democratic in nonpresidential elections.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
-
Thus, a team that wins the lottery will have its second-round pick slotted 46th, and the team picking 16th will also have pick 31.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The gesture of queerness survives in the harshest of climates.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Even if the Black Caucus survives, the bruising fights emerging in the party and the awkward political alignments emerging are likely to have longer-term ramifications.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Typically, symptoms resolve within two to seven days, but people with severe symptoms, including diarrhea that lasts more than three days, high fever and blood in stool should seek medical attention.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Americans are increasingly open to approaches that reduce harm, strengthen communities, and deliver safety that lasts.—
Ana Zamora,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The poem persists both as a series of occurrences and as a solid object.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
The cycle persists because, at every link, those involved have had reasons that felt sufficient to them in the moment.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevails. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
