prevail
To prove more powerful or superior; to win or succeed
Examples
In a meeting
“Despite initial resistance, our proposal ultimately prevailed.”
Over coffee
“Common sense should prevail when making this decision.”
Why this word
win
Prevail implies overcoming opposition or difficulty, while win simply means achieving victory
dominate
Prevail suggests eventual success after struggle, while dominate emphasizes control throughout
succeed
Prevail specifically connotes triumph over adversity, while succeed is broader and less dramatic
Usage tip
Use when one option, side, or approach wins after competition or conflict
Etymology
Latin: praevalere (prae- 'before' + valere 'be strong')
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Related words
lucrative
Producing a great deal of profit or wealth
vie
To compete eagerly with others for something
antagonist
A person who actively opposes or competes with another
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.
delegate
To assign a task or responsibility to someone else.