1. prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious: "it is hard for logic to prevail over emotion"Similarwinwin outwin throughtriumphbe victoriousbe the victorgain the victorycarry the daycarry all before onefinish firstcome out aheadcome out on topsucceedprove superiorconquerovercomegain/achieve masterygain ascendancytake the crowngain the palmrulereign
▪ be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current: "an atmosphere of crisis prevails"Similarexistbe in existencebe presentbe the caseholdobtainoccurbe prevalentbe currentbe rifebe rampantbe the order of the daybe customarybe establishedbe commonbe widespreadbe in forcebe in effectaboundhold swaypredominatepreponderateenduresurvivepersist
▪ persuade (someone) to do something:"she was prevailed upon to give an account of her work"
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin praevalere ‘have greater power’, from prae ‘before’ + valere ‘have power’.