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
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 prevail
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—
David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Nevertheless, Musk has prevailed despite his various trials and tribulations.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Martinson similarly prevailed in court late last month.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Typical diurnal winds prevailed with westerly/up canyon, gusting near 20 MPH, observed in the afternoon.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Nevertheless, Musk has prevailed despite his various trials and tribulations.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Martinson similarly prevailed in court late last month.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Typical diurnal winds prevailed with westerly/up canyon, gusting near 20 MPH, observed in the afternoon.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevail
Verb
-
The Razorbacks won the toss and will receive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The founders of Ssense have won round one in their battle with their creditors, allowing the company to remain in the hands of chief executive officer Rami Atallah and his brothers Firas and Bassel, who are fighting to remain in business and restructure the company’s operations.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But it has been largely forgotten over the past five decades, as the people who knew about it and the 10 people who survived it grew older or passed away.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, survive a series of formidable trials, and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Built to last, the 2020 model features a new roof design that boasts up to 90 pounds per square foot of snow load.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The recession began in December 2007, when the housing bubble burst and the financial crisis took hold, and lasted until mid-2009.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevail. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share