prevail

Meaning

  1. (intransitive) To be superior in strength, dominance, influence, or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.
  2. (intransitive) To triumph; to be victorious.
  3. (intransitive) To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.
  4. (intransitive) To succeed in persuading or inducing.
  5. (obsolete, transitive) To avail.

Synonyms

predominate
dominate
C2
rule
B1
triumph
C1
😤
reign
C1
persuade
C1

be prevalent

obtain
C1
endure
C1
rage
B2
😡
preponderate

have the upper hand

have one’s way

die hard
hold
A1
spread
B1
succeed
B2
persist
C2
win
A2
induce
C2
acceptable
C1
overcome
C1
run
A1
coax
26k
effectuate
chat up
beat out
domineer
engender
exceed
C2
cause
A1
diffract
letter
A2
carry
A2
beat
A2
angle
B2
decline
C1
create
B1
bring round
incurvate
incline
36k
convince
B1
incite
26k
inflect
inspire
C1
keep
A1
hulk
C1
lick
C1
make
A1
control
A2
Translations

prévaloir
prevalere
prevalecer
prédominer
dominer
prevalecer
predominar
vorherrschen

επικρατώ

predominar
predominare
prevaler
trionfare
😤
überwiegen
dominare
Frequency

C2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/pɹɪˈveɪl/
Etymology

Inherited from Middle English
prevailen
In summary

From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”). Displaced native Old English rīcsian.

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English