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
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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
-
When the issuer also owns the settlement layer, that neutrality survives only as a promise, with no structure forcing it to hold.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Can Johnson rehabilitate such a relationship, whether or not Pritzker’s Bears deal survives the mayor’s attacks?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
If the shortage lasts too long, protective systems begin disconnecting parts of the grid to stop a wider collapse.—
Fangxing Fran Li,
The Conversation,
27 May 2026
-
Lingo is discreet, water-resistant, lasts up to 14 days and does not require charging.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 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 31 May. 2026.
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