1
as in won
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in survived
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 prevailed
In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger secured the governorship with a decisive lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, while Mikie Sherrill prevailed in New Jersey following a campaign centered on affordability and public safety.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
That reasoning was ultimately validated in court, and the federal government prevailed.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
In the Royal Oak mayoral election, incumbent Michael Fournier prevailed over Trish Oliver, with 59% of the votes and 100% of precincts reporting.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Despite varied biographies, top-of-the-ballot Democrats across New Jersey, Virginia and New York City each prevailed in contests before electorates who ranked the economy or cost of living as a top issue, according to exit polls conducted by ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Detroit woke up in time to advance to the bitter end of the ALDS before the Mariners prevailed.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
In the teams’ 2020 meeting, at an empty stadium because of COVID-19, the Chiefs prevailed in the first meeting between Mahomes and Bills counterpart Josh Allen.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
By the end of the concert, a sense of boundless curiosity prevailed the musical selections and traditions, even in its deep respect toward legacy.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
That reasoning was ultimately validated in court, and the federal government prevailed.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
In the Royal Oak mayoral election, incumbent Michael Fournier prevailed over Trish Oliver, with 59% of the votes and 100% of precincts reporting.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Despite varied biographies, top-of-the-ballot Democrats across New Jersey, Virginia and New York City each prevailed in contests before electorates who ranked the economy or cost of living as a top issue, according to exit polls conducted by ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Detroit woke up in time to advance to the bitter end of the ALDS before the Mariners prevailed.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
In the teams’ 2020 meeting, at an empty stadium because of COVID-19, the Chiefs prevailed in the first meeting between Mahomes and Bills counterpart Josh Allen.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
By the end of the concert, a sense of boundless curiosity prevailed the musical selections and traditions, even in its deep respect toward legacy.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailed
Verb
-
Acuff won a high school state championship at the Breslin Center in 2023.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Cardell Williams completed 8 of 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to speedster Ernest Campbell as the Hornets won for the sixth time in their last eight outings with two conference games to go.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Aldo Olivieri, il Gatto Magico (the Magic Cat), who had survived a fractured skull that required drilling to save his life and left him with chronic headaches, became the first-choice goalkeeper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
He is survived by two other children and his wife.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In live action, having triumphed with multi-prized intimate cinema, some directors look set to break out of their comfort zone.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That allowed Adams to bypass the Democratic primary, in which Mamdani triumphed over Cuomo.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The impasse that has lasted 39 days is taking an increasing toll on the country as federal workers go unpaid, airlines cancel flights and SNAP benefits have been delayed for millions of Americans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
David Letterman, who in 2002 hosted Warren Zevon‘s final television appearance before his death, paid tribute to his friend Saturday night with a lengthy induction speech at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that lasted several times as long as the musical salute by the Killers that followed.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Schumer on Saturday persisted in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In the decades after his discovery, Watson’s fame persisted.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailed. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share