prevail

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prevail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in many contexts to mean "to be more powerful or successful than others" or "to triumph in the end." For example: After a few minutes of arguing, her determination to be heard eventually prevailed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since all it takes for evil to prevail is one good seven-year-old to do nothing, I continued to crack the case wide open: "And what about the tooth fairy?" I got up to tell my sister, but was waylaid by an adult offering me chocolate cake in exchange for my silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was clear early on in this test of endurance that an Englishman would prevail.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet, inside Fianna Fáil, there is some optimism that the doctrine of MAD, Irish style, will prevail.

The Guardian

And which of the family fiefdoms did she hope would prevail?

The Guardian

The minority view won't always prevail – sometimes it shouldn't.

The Guardian

Joshua has yet to be taken past three rounds as a professional and really there was no doubt that he would prevail easily here.

The Guardian - Sport

IDS will probably prevail (mostly), the Lords will hang tough for a bit, both sides will compromise a little more.

The Guardian

The normal protection of human rights and legal representation must prevail.

The Guardian

I think that in times like these there's a lot of high emotion which I can understand … but I think that when it comes to law enforcement cool heads should prevail".

The Guardian

"Rather, it is a contest between those who want justice to prevail and those who want to cover up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buoyed by the Tea Party's weakness until now and opinion polls showing immigration reform would help win over Latino voters, campaigners had been hoping there was a chance that the Republican leadership might finally prevail in its effort to modernise the party in the eyes of non-white America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevail" to emphasize ultimate success or dominance after a period of struggle or uncertainty. It adds a sense of finality and achievement to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "prevail" when "succeed" or "win" would suffice. "Prevail" implies overcoming significant obstacles, so reserve it for situations where the victory was hard-earned.

Linguistic Context

The verb "prevail" functions primarily to assert the ultimate success or dominance of a subject, idea, or force. It indicates overcoming obstacles and achieving a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevail" is a versatile verb used to emphasize ultimate success or dominance, often after a struggle. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and formal contexts. While it suggests a triumphant tone, it should be reserved for situations where success is hard-earned. Alternatives include "triumph", "succeed", and "dominate". By understanding its nuances and common errors, writers can effectively use "prevail" to add depth and impact to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triumph

Implies a decisive victory or success after a struggle.

be victorious

Emphasizes achieving victory in a contest or conflict.

succeed

Suggests accomplishing a desired aim or result.

prove superior

Highlights demonstrating greater ability or quality.

dominate

Indicates having control or power over others.

come out on top

Implies achieving the highest position or success after a competitive situation.

reign

Refers to holding supreme power or authority.

win out

Highlights emerging as the victor or successful party.

hold sway

Indicates having influence or power over people or events.

gain ground

Implies gradually becoming more successful or popular.

FAQs

How to use "prevail" in a sentence?

Use "prevail" to describe a situation where something ultimately succeeds or becomes dominant, especially after a struggle. For example, "Despite the challenges, justice will "prevail"."

What can I say instead of "prevail"?

You can use alternatives like "triumph", "succeed", or "overcome" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "prevail" or "prevent"?

"Prevail" means to be victorious or to succeed, while "prevent" means to stop something from happening. They have opposite meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "prevail" and "dominate"?

"Prevail" suggests eventual success after a struggle, while "dominate" implies having continuous control or power. "Dominate" focuses on the current state of control, whereas "prevail" looks at the final outcome.