1
as in to win
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to survive
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 prevail
And the prevailing opinion across the NHL is that Olivier is the toughest fighter in the league.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Though Bell did not prevail over her opponents, Jeopardy fans have taken to social media to share their memories of her sharp wit and memorable answers during her appearance on the show.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Broad land ownership challenged the economic and social divisions that prevailed in Europe.
— Made By History, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025
The Terps prevailed despite getting outrebounded, 39-29, and outscored 36-28 in the paint by a Colorado State team that gave away several inches inside.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Though Bell did not prevail over her opponents, Jeopardy fans have taken to social media to share their memories of her sharp wit and memorable answers during her appearance on the show.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Broad land ownership challenged the economic and social divisions that prevailed in Europe.
— Made By History, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025
The Terps prevailed despite getting outrebounded, 39-29, and outscored 36-28 in the paint by a Colorado State team that gave away several inches inside.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevail
Verb
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Olympic Heights, which finished in fifth place in both 2023 and 2024, won the Class 2A Large Non-Tumbling Division.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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Maryland had won the previous two meetings with Florida but dropped to 2-3 in the all-time series.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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It’s supposed to be a joyous occasion when families feast and purchase new clothes for children, but most of Gaza’s 2 million people are just trying to survive.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2025
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It’s supposed to be a joyous occasion, when families gather for feasts and purchase new clothes for children — but most of Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians are just trying to survive.—
Tia Goldenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The sides were supposed to begin negotiations in early February on the ceasefire’s next phase, in which Hamas was to release the remaining 59 hostages — 35 of them believed to be dead — in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.—
Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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Such separations, which have even involved infants and toddlers, can cause lasting psychological harm to children and irreparable damage to their brains, according to a report by the American Psychological Association.—
George B. Sánchez-Tello,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevail. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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