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prevail

pre·vail

prevail

 
 
pronunciation:
prih veIl
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: prevails, prevailing, prevailed
definition 1: to emerge as dominant (often fol. by "over").
Fortunately, common sense seems to have prevailed over irrationality.Optimism prevailed throughout the decade of the fifties.
synonyms:
overcome, predominate, triumph
similar words:
conquer, dominate, endure, excel, lead, persist, preponderate, reign, rule, succeed, win, withstand
definition 2: to prove oneself superior to; triumph (usu. fol. by "over" or "against").
Their faith in the future helped them prevail over hardship.
synonyms:
triumph
similar words:
endure, persevere, succeed, win
definition 3: to exist, or continue to exist, widely or generally.
The bombing had ended and silence now prevailed in the city.The assumption still prevails that men are less able than women to nurture children.
synonyms:
abound, obtain, rule
similar words:
abide, exist, last, occur, permeate, persist, predominate, reign, take
definition 4: to successfully encourage (usu. fol. by "on" or "upon").
Prevail on him to come to the party, will you?
synonyms:
coax, exhort
similar words:
cajole, inspire, press, sway, sweet-talk, urge
definition 5: to be currently in effect.
We should never take for granted the civil rights laws that prevail today.
synonyms:
abide, endure, exist, hold, obtain, stand
similar words:
abound, last, persist, predominate, reign, remain, rule
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