WordWeb Online

1. Most frequent or very common
   "prevailing winds";
   - prevalent, predominant, dominant, rife

1. Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   "Hispanics prevail in this neighbourhood";
   - predominate, dominate, rule, reign
    
2. Be valid, applicable, or true
   "This theory still prevails";
   - hold, obtain
    
3. Continue to exist
   "These stories prevail";
   - persist, die hard, run, endure
    
4. Prove superior
   "The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight";
   - triumph
    
5. Use persuasion successfully
   "He prevailed upon her to visit his parents"

See also: frequent

Type of: be, continue, exist, persuade, win

Encyclopedia: Prevailing