prevail

American  

[pri-veyl] / prɪˈveɪl /

verb (used without object)

1. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally.

   Silence prevailed along the funeral route.

2. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate.

   Green tints prevail in the upholstery.

   Synonyms:

   preponderate

3. to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually followed byover ).

   They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.

   Synonyms:

   overcome

   Antonyms:

   lose

4. to succeed; become dominant; win out.

   to wish that the right side might prevail.

5. to use persuasion or inducement successfully.

   He prevailed upon us to accompany him.

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prevail British  

/ prɪˈveɪl /

verb

1. to prove superior; gain mastery

   skill will prevail

2. to be or appear as the most important feature; be prevalent

3. to exist widely; be in force

4. to succeed in persuading or inducing

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Other Word Forms

• prevailer noun

Etymology

Origin of prevail

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English prevayllen “to grow very strong,” from Latin praevalēre “to be more able,” equivalent to prae- “before, in front” + valēre “to be strong”; see pre-, prevalent

Explanation

Prevail means to successfully persuade someone of something. If you were a Presidential advisor and you convinced him to make a National Day of Pet Appreciation, then you prevailed upon him to recognize pets. Prevail can be used for different kinds of success. If you prevail upon someone, you have influence on them. If you prevail over someone, you win. Say you’re a big fan of a losing team. You might cheer, “Despite all odds, we will prevail!” To use prevail, there has to be some kind of contest or conflict. That could be internal, like when you have a pile of homework to do, but your desire to play video games prevails over your discipline.

Example Sentences

First under Zinedine Zidane, then Carlo Ancelotti, individual brilliance and an innate belief that they would prevail, no matter the odds, saw them overcome often more cohesive opposition.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“Cautious optimism may prevail today as markets are contemplating prospects for successful cease-fire negotiations over the weekend,” Commerzbank’s Hauke Siemssen said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

That is the federal-funds rate considered to be neither stimulative nor restrictive — what would prevail if the economy were at full employment but not overheated, with inflation stable.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

In his March 27 order granting the temporary restraining order, Nunley said DirecTV had demonstrated that it could prevail at a trial due to the merits of its arguments.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

I knew I should turn it off, but I kept hoping that the good guys would prevail so I wouldn’t have to go to bed with the frightening images etched in my mind.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Related Words

• abound
• beat
• overcome
• prove
• reign
• succeed
• triumph
• win