prevailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'prevailed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe situations in which one person, group, or idea has triumphed over another. For example: After a long and hard fought battle, the demonstrators’ call for change finally prevailed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The manager told us just to keep the ball down and play, then we would be fine," said Nathan Redmond, who was instrumental in ensuring Norwich eventually prevailed.

The Guardian - Sport

But one scientist on the team said the beasts might have prevailed had the asteroid struck earlier or later than it did.

The Guardian

His stand came as an emotional Uefa president Michel Platini refused to rule out European teams boycotting the World Cup, Fifa's cash cow, if the 79-year-old prevailed in Friday's election and as dismayed sponsors further ramped up the pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

It was so refreshing to see a majority of speakers trenchantly and unapologetically making the case against austerity, in the teeth of an orthodoxy that has prevailed for far too long, notably in the broadcast media.

The Guardian

Eventually, good sense prevailed and Johansson cut her ties to Oxfam.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Swans prevailed 16.15 (111) to 12.18 (90) in an absorbing AFL battle at the SCG, delivering their cross-town rivals a reality check as to who rules the harbour city.

The Guardian - Sport

It was only as a result of the IRA bomb attack on her Brighton hotel that she was prevailed upon to drop the line as too divisive.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the past, Spielberg's golden eye has usually prevailed over his tin ear, but not here.

The Guardian - Film

The pair from Eden Hazard when Tony Pulis's Palace prevailed at Selhurst Park last season were two of his best, though Speroni tends to reflect on team performances rather than personal excellence with more pride.

The Guardian - Sport

In the other 19 finals, Williams prevailed, often emphatically.

The Guardian - Sport

Parts of northwest and southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia got snow, while sleet and freezing rain prevailed west and north of Richmond.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailed" to emphasize the eventual triumph after a period of struggle or opposition. It suggests that success was not easily achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailed" when a simpler term like "succeeded" or "won" would suffice. "Prevailed" is best reserved for situations where there was significant resistance or difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The word "prevailed" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense. It indicates the successful outcome of a conflict, struggle, or competition. As seen in Ludwig, the AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailed" is a commonly used verb indicating successful triumph after a period of challenge or struggle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it is most frequently encountered in news and formal business contexts. When considering alternatives, it's important to recognize the subtle differences in meaning that words like "triumphed", "succeeded", and "overcame" offer. This ensures the most appropriate expression of the intended message. Avoid overuse in simple successes, reserving it for instances where resistance was a significant factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Triumphed

Implies a decisive victory or overcoming a significant obstacle; more emphatic than "prevailed".

Won out

Suggests victory after a period of competition or struggle; similar in tone to "prevailed".

Succeeded

A more general term for achieving a desired outcome; less specific than "prevailed".

Overcame

Focuses on the act of successfully dealing with a problem or difficulty; less about overall victory than "prevailed".

Conquered

Implies gaining control over something, often through force; stronger and more aggressive than "prevailed".

Gained the upper hand

Indicates achieving a dominant position; focuses more on control than overall success.

Came out on top

An informal expression for achieving the best result in a competition or conflict; less formal than "prevailed".

Reigned supreme

Emphasizes ultimate authority or dominance; stronger and more absolute than "prevailed".

Prevailed upon

Indicates that someone was persuaded or influenced to do something.

Dominated

Implies a strong position of authority and influence.

FAQs

How is "prevailed" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "prevailed" is generally used to indicate that someone or something has been victorious or successful, especially after a struggle. For example, "Despite the challenges, good sense "good sense prevailed"".

What are some synonyms for "prevailed" that I can use?

Some alternatives to "prevailed" include "triumphed", "succeeded", "won out", and "overcame". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "prevailed upon" instead of just "prevailed"?

Yes, "prevailed upon" is a correct usage, but it has a different meaning. It means to persuade someone to do something, whereas "prevailed" alone means to be victorious or successful. For example: "He was "prevailed upon" to drop the line as too divisive."

What's the difference between "prevailed" and "dominated"?

"Prevailed" suggests winning after a struggle or contest, while "dominated" implies having a position of power and control. For example, "Williams "Williams prevailed", often emphatically" versus "Lynton Crosby's tactical demands largely "tactical demands largely dominated"."