prevail

verb

pre·​vail pri-ˈvāl How to pronounce prevail (audio)
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

Examples of prevail in a Sentence

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
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.
And neither a coach nor his communications staff can control the prevailing narrative in outside media, or prevent anything outside a closed locker room from being seen, heard, recorded and posted by somebody and becoming viral, as was the case in the tunnel in Raleigh’s Lenovo Center. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Late Thursday morning, a festive cheer prevailed among tens of thousands of folks downtown. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 In a moment in which American discontent seems to be the prevailing attitude of the nation, this reminder of our prosperity puts our struggles into perspective. Carter Popkin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 The restraining order means that the judge believes the VOA journalists are likely to prevail on the merits of the case. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prevail

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevail was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevail. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

prevail

verb
pre·​vail pri-ˈvā(ə)l How to pronounce prevail (audio)
1
: to win against opposition : be successful
our team prevailed
truth will prevail over error
believed injustice should not prevail
2
: to urge successfully
prevailed upon me to play a few tunes
3
a
: to be frequent
the storms that prevail there in winter
b
: to be or continue to be in use or fashion
lower rates prevail in the evening
customs that still prevail

Legal Definition

prevail

intransitive verb
pre·​vail pri-ˈvāl How to pronounce prevail (audio)
1
: to obtain substantially the relief or action sought in a lawsuit
2
: to be frequent or predominant
the prevailing rate

More from Merriam-Webster on prevail

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