'Prevail' definitions:
Definition of 'prevail'
(from WordNet)
verb
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood" [syn: predominate, dominate, rule, reign, prevail]
verb
verb
Continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of Elvis endures" [syn: prevail, persist, die hard, run, endure]
verb
Prove superior; "The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight" [syn: prevail, triumph]
verb
Use persuasion successfully; "He prevailed upon her to visit his parents"
Definition of 'Prevail'
From: GCIDE
- Prevail \Pre*vail"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prevailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prevailing.] [F. pr['e]valoir, OF. prevaleir, L. praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or worth. See Valiant.]
- 1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to succeed; -- sometimes with over or against. [1913 Webster]
- When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex. xvii. 11. [1913 Webster]
- So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam. xvii. 50. [1913 Webster]
- This kingdom could never prevail against the united power of England. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day. [1913 Webster]
- This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait. [1913 Webster]
- He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
- Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'prevail'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abide,
- affect,
- argue into,
- be,
- be blooded,
- be extant,
- be found,
- be in,
- be in existence,
- be in force,
- be met with,
- be present,
- be successful,
- be the case,
- be the rage,
- be the rule,
- be the thing,
- be there,
- be victorious,
- beat,
- best,
- bestride,
- better,
- bide,
- break the record,
- breathe,
- bring around,
- bring round,
- cap,
- carry on,
- catch on,
- click,
- come off,
- connect,
- continue,
- continue the same,
- continue to be,
- convince,
- defeat time,
- defy time,
- dictate,
- dispose,
- dominate,
- domineer,
- drag along,
- drag on,
- draw,
- drone,
- dwell,
- endure,
- exceed,
- excel,
- exist,
- extend,
- farewell,
- get,
- go,
- go great guns,
- go off,
- go on,
- go one better,
- go over,
- go over big,
- go to town,
- graduate,
- happen to be,
- have being,
- have place,
- have the ascendancy,
- hold,
- hold on,
- hold out,
- hum,
- impress,
- improve on,
- incline,
- induce,
- influence,
- keep,
- keep on,
- last,
- last long,
- last out,
- live,
- live on,
- live through,
- maintain,
- make a hit,
- master,
- meet with success,
- obtain,
- occur,
- outweigh,
- overbalance,
- overbear,
- overcome,
- overpass,
- overtop,
- pass,
- perdure,
- perennate,
- perfect,
- persist,
- persuade,
- play first fiddle,
- predominate,
- preponderate,
- prompt,
- prosper,
- qualify,
- reign,
- remain,
- rule,
- rule the roost,
- run,
- run on,
- run through,
- stand,
- stay,
- stay on,
- subsist,
- succeed,
- surpass,
- survive,
- sustain,
- sway,
- take,
- take the lead,
- talk into,
- tarry,
- tide over,
- top,
- tower above,
- tower over,
- transcend,
- triumph,
- trump,
- twist,
- wear,
- wear the pants,
- wear well,
- win,
- win out,
- win over,
- work well,
- work wonders