prevail (prɪˈveɪl
)
Definitions
verb (intr)
- often foll by over or against to prove superior; gain mastery ⇒
skill will prevail
- to be or appear as the most important feature; be prevalent
- to exist widely; be in force
- often foll by on or upon to succeed in persuading or inducing
Alternative Forms
preˈvailer nounWord Origin
C14: from Latin praevalēre to be superior in strength, from prae beyond + valēre to be strongSynonyms
View thesaurus entryUsage examples
Justice will prevail... I owe too much to too many souls... I will pay the price of my deeds.
, Iced (1993)Then it should not be trumpeted as "Good will prevail and Bad will be purged".
India Today (2002)Against such forces, even the most passionate defenders of the rule of law cannot prevail.
Globe and Mail (2003)If Lisburn council's mentality were to prevail , seizing all the top jobs for unionists, we would be heading back to the 1960s.
Belfast Telegraph (2003)Bulky as they were, the boots were essential for keeping warm should cold conditions prevail as the fleet approached the coast of Tasmania.
, FATAL STORM (2001)