1
as in to win
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to survive
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
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Recent Examples of prevail
There seems to be a prevailing cultural message in healthcare that patients can’t or won’t change.
—
Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
In the end, the reputational risk case prevailed.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 17 May 2026
All the more so by the increasingly prevailing contemporary standards of deflect and deny.
—Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
The colt won his first two starts last year by impressive margins, prevailing in the Champagne Stakes by 6½ lengths in October.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
In the end, the reputational risk case prevailed.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 17 May 2026
All the more so by the increasingly prevailing contemporary standards of deflect and deny.
—Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
The colt won his first two starts last year by impressive margins, prevailing in the Champagne Stakes by 6½ lengths in October.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevail
Verb
-
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday, stunning the field by avoiding the runoff her rivals had hoped would expose lingering doubts about her ability to win in November.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
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Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
After surviving two long series to get here, the Cavaliers have a significant amount of wear and tear, which the Knicks simply don’t have.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
To survive these transformations, rich states have resorted among other things to the ever greater exploitation, not only of poor states, but also of the human and ecological capital housed within them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The attack began in midmorning and lasted for hours in the capital of Kyiv, the western city of Lviv near Poland, and the port of Odesa on the Black Sea, among other population centers, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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In a segment expected to last a few minutes, ABC News reporter Will Ganss will preview this weekend’s YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevail. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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