PREVAIL
| Pronunciation (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does prevail mean?
• PREVAIL (verb)
The verb PREVAIL has 5 senses:
1. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
2. be valid, applicable, or true
3. continue to exist
4. prove superior
5. use persuasion successfully
Familiarity information: PREVAIL used as a verb is common.
Dictionary entry details
• PREVAIL (verb)
Meaning:
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
dominate; predominate; prevail; reign; rule
Context examples:
Money reigns supreme here / Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prevail"):
override (prevail over)
redound (be excessive in quantity)
overarch (be central or dominant)
outbalance; outweigh; overbalance; preponderate (weigh more heavily)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Be valid, applicable, or true
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
prevail; obtain; hold
Context example:
This theory still holds
Hypernyms (to "prevail" is one way to...):
be; exist (have an existence, be extant)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Continue to exist
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
persist; die hard; prevail; endure; run
Context examples:
These stories die hard / The legend of Elvis endures
Hypernyms (to "prevail" is one way to...):
continue (exist over a prolonged period of time)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prevail"):
carry over (transfer or persist from one stage or sphere of activity to another)
reverberate (have a long or continuing effect)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Prove superior
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
triumph; prevail
Context example:
The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight
Hypernyms (to "prevail" is one way to...):
win (be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Use persuasion successfully
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Context example:
He prevailed upon her to visit his parents
Hypernyms (to "prevail" is one way to...):
persuade (cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
