prevail
verb
pre·vail pri-ˈvāl 
prevailed; prevailing; prevails
intransitive verb
1
: to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority : triumph
2
: to be or become effective or effectual
3
: to use persuasion successfully
prevailed on him to sing
4
: to be frequent : predominate
the west winds that prevail in the mountains
5
: to be or continue in use or fashion : persist
a custom that still prevails
Synonyms
- conquer
- triumph
- win
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here. The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s. The law still prevails in some states.
Recent Examples on the Web As Washington presses ahead with requiring Chinese companies to comply with U.S. law, the arena for financial engagement will remain, but may shrink if China’s security concerns prevail, experts say. 
Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2022 Temperatures have fallen in the northern parts of the state, but the storm has had less of an impact there and wildfire conditions prevail, Sanchez said. Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2022 Strong messages of optimism, perseverance and teamwork prevail, and the overall tone is light and positive. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Maybe, the doctors hoped, Quinn could prevail upon Bishop Peter Libasci of Manchester to intervene. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 This fantasy face-off between Amazon and HBO is being closely watched for clues to which streaming platform will prevail in a very real commercial war. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Buzz: After dropping the first set, East River (1-3) seized control to win the next three sets and prevail 22-25, 25-7, 25-13, 25-13. Nate Marrero, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Even in 2022, with more women founders and leaders, a broader understanding of how different personality types operate and flexible hybrid work policies, patriarchal hierarchies and ideas around success prevail and alienate many. Danielle Pender, refinery29.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Whether Hassan can prevail may hinge on whom Republicans nominate to face her. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2022 Temperatures have fallen in the northern parts of the state, but the storm has had less of an impact there and wildfire conditions prevail, Sanchez said. Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2022 Strong messages of optimism, perseverance and teamwork prevail, and the overall tone is light and positive. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Maybe, the doctors hoped, Quinn could prevail upon Bishop Peter Libasci of Manchester to intervene. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 This fantasy face-off between Amazon and HBO is being closely watched for clues to which streaming platform will prevail in a very real commercial war. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Buzz: After dropping the first set, East River (1-3) seized control to win the next three sets and prevail 22-25, 25-7, 25-13, 25-13. Nate Marrero, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Even in 2022, with more women founders and leaders, a broader understanding of how different personality types operate and flexible hybrid work policies, patriarchal hierarchies and ideas around success prevail and alienate many. Danielle Pender, refinery29.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Whether Hassan can prevail may hinge on whom Republicans nominate to face her. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin praevalēre, from prae- pre- + valēre to be strong — more at wield
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing prevail
Kids Definition
prevail
verb
pre·vail pri-ˈvāl
prevailed; prevailing
1
: to succeed in convincing
Students prevailed upon the teacher to extend recess.
2
: to be or become usual, common, or widespread
West winds prevail in that region.
3
: to win against opposition
Good will prevail over evil.
Legal Definition
prevail
intransitive verb
pre·vail pri-ˈvāl
1
: to obtain substantially the relief or action sought in a lawsuit
2
: to be frequent or predominant
the prevailing rate
prevailing 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people the principal disagrees with the prevailing attitude toward corporal punishment Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- conventional
- usual
- current
- customary
- prevalent
- standard
- popular
- going
- stock
- average
- widespread
- normal
- common
- ordinary
- universal
- accustomed
- epidemic
- everyday
- in
- routine
- regular
- fashionable
- ubiquitous
- modish
- wonted
- stylish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unusual
- unpopular
- abnormal
- extraordinary
- exceptional
- uncommon
- unconventional
- nonstandard
2
as in general
held by or applicable to a majority of the people the prevailing custom here is to leave one's doors unlocked Synonyms & Similar Words
- general
- overall
- majority
- public
- predominant
- popular
- common
- unanimous
- ruling
- present
- current
- received
- usual
- dominant
- prevalent
- contemporary
- typical
- vulgar
- universal
- widespread
- characteristic
- preponderant
- pervasive
- familiar
- pop
- communal
- household
- shared
- everyday
- well-known
- rife
- pandemic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unusual
- uncommon
- unknown
- strange
- peculiar
- special
- individual
- rare
- unpopular
- unique
- distinctive
- separate
- personal
- private
- idiosyncratic
- especial
- singular
- nonpublic
prevailing
2 of 2verb
1
as in winning
to achieve victory (as in a contest) we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds Synonyms & Similar Words
- winning
- triumphing
- overcoming
- succeeding
- contending
- conquering
- sweeping
- kicking butt
- carrying the day
- vying
- squeaking
- romping
- breezing
- squeezing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- losing
- failing
- collapsing
- struggling
- declining
- waning
- folding
- slipping
- floundering
- washing out
- flopping
- slumping
2
as in surviving
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs a custom that still prevails in many areas of Africa Synonyms & Similar Words
- surviving
- lasting
- persisting
- continuing
- remaining
- enduring
- holding out
- going
- coping
- persevering
- managing
- lingering
- abiding
- keeping up
- holding up
- stretching
- hanging in
- carrying on
- getting along
- faring
- making out
- getting on
- hanging on
- holding on
- running on
- getting by
- drawing out
- bearing up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- failing
- dying
- collapsing
- breaking
- running out
- stopping
- stalling
- crashing
- waning
- giving out
- breaking down
- fizzling
- expiring
- petering (out)
- going out
- running down
- cutting out
- conking (out)
- put the bite on
- put the car in gear
- put the car into gear
- put the cart before the horse
- put the children to bed
- put the fear of god into
- put the fear of God into (someone)
- put the fear of god into someone
- put the finger on
- put the fire out
- put the hurt on
- put the kibosh on
- put the lid on
- put the make on
- put the moves on
- put the pedal to the metal
- put the phone down on
- put the phone down on (someone)
- put the phone down on someone
- put the record straight
- put the screws on
- put the screws on someone or something
- put the screws on/to (someone or something)
- put the screws to
- put the screws to someone or something