won out

USAGE SUMMARY

"won out" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to emerge as the winner or to prevail over something or someone. Example: After a long and intense competition, Sarah's determination and hard work finally won out, leading her team to victory in the sports tournament.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nordsjaelland's determination won out.

The New York Times

Reid apparently won out.

The New York Times

Classical music eventually won out.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, her doubts won out.

The New Yorker

"That won out.

The New York Times

"Won out?" she retorts.

The New York Times

Their efforts won out.

The Guardian - Books

Peace won out.

The New York Times - Sports

It eventually won out.

The New York Times

But curiosity won out.

The New Yorker

The truth won out in the end".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "won out" when you want to emphasize that a particular option, idea, or person was ultimately more successful or influential than others.

Common error

Avoid using "won out" simply as a synonym for "won". "Won out" implies a competition or choice between multiple options, whereas "won" can be used in a broader sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "won out" functions as an intransitive verb indicating that someone or something was ultimately successful or prevailed after a competition or conflict. Ludwig provides many examples showing that it's often used to describe how one option or idea triumphed over others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "won out" is a phrasal verb that indicates ultimate success or prevalence after a competition or period of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and commonly used phrase. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying the idea that something or someone triumphed over other options. When writing, remember that it implies a competition or choice, distinguishing it from the simpler verb "won". Alternatives like "prevailed" and "triumphed" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By understanding these distinctions, you can use "won out" effectively and precisely in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailed

Focuses on being victorious or more effective, especially after a struggle.

triumphed

Emphasizes a significant victory or achievement.

succeeded

Indicates accomplishment of a goal or desired outcome.

came out on top

Highlights the achievement of reaching the highest position or rank.

gained the upper hand

Suggests achieving a position of control or advantage.

was victorious

Simply states that someone or something achieved victory.

dominated

Implies having a controlling influence or power over others.

carried the day

Suggests being successful in a specific event or situation.

achieved dominance

Emphasizes the attainment of a position of power or control.

beat the competition

Directly states that someone or something outperformed rivals.

FAQs

How can I use "won out" in a sentence?

Use "won out" to indicate that something or someone was ultimately more successful after a period of competition or uncertainty. For example, "Despite initial setbacks, her determination "won out" and she achieved her goals".

What is a good substitute for "won out"?

Alternatives to "won out" include "prevailed", "triumphed", or "succeeded", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "win out" instead of "won out"?

"Won out" is the past tense of "win out", so use "won out" when referring to a past event. "Win out" is appropriate for future or hypothetical situations, such as "The best candidate will "win out" in the end".

What's the difference between "won out" and "defeated"?

"Won out" implies a competition between multiple options or factors where one ultimately prevails. "Defeated" suggests a direct confrontation where one side overcomes another. For instance, "Her persistence "won out"" suggests her persistence was stronger than other opposing forces, while "She defeated her opponent" means she directly overcame them in a contest.