prevailed; prevailing; prevails
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
Cool conditions are forecast to prevail through Sunday.
—
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
Pod Save America's Jon Lovett welcomed Bill Maher, who challenged the left's prevailing support for transgender rights and gender-affirming care.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Although Amazon has denied the allegations, the case could result in refunds for affected consumers if the FTC prevails.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Mar. 2025
Maybe justice will prevail and there’ll be a trial.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
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Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
Pod Save America's Jon Lovett welcomed Bill Maher, who challenged the left's prevailing support for transgender rights and gender-affirming care.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Although Amazon has denied the allegations, the case could result in refunds for affected consumers if the FTC prevails.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Mar. 2025
Maybe justice will prevail and there’ll be a trial.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevail
Cite this Entry
“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevail. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevail
verb
pre·vail
pri-ˈvā(ə)l 
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
1
: to obtain substantially the relief or action sought in a lawsuit
2
: to be frequent or predominant
the prevailing rate
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