prevail

/prɪˈveɪl/

/prəˈveɪl/

Other forms: prevailed; prevailing; prevails

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.

Definitions of prevail

1. verb

   be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   synonyms: dominate, predominate, reign, rule

   types:

   override

   prevail over

   overarch

   be central or dominant

   outbalance, outweigh, overbalance, preponderate

   weigh more heavily
2. verb

   prove superior
   “The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight”

   synonyms: triumph

   type of:

   win

   be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
3. verb

   continue to exist
   synonyms: die hard, endure, persist, run

   run

   occur persistently

   types:

   carry over

   transfer or persist from one stage or sphere of activity to another

   reverberate

   have a long or continuing effect

   type of:

   continue

   exist over a prolonged period of time
4. verb

   use persuasion successfully
   “He prevailed upon her to visit his parents”

   type of:

   persuade

   cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm
5. verb

   be valid, applicable, or true
   synonyms: hold, obtain

   type of:

   be, exist

   have an existence, be extant