What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prevail
Example
Despite the challenges, the team managed to prevail and win the championship. [prevail: verb]
Example
The prevailing opinion among scientists is that climate change is caused by human activity. [prevailing: adjective]
win
Example
The athlete trained hard to win the race. [win: verb]
Example
I managed to win the argument by presenting a compelling case. [win: verb]
Example
She won the lottery and became an instant millionaire. [won: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Win is more commonly used than prevail in everyday language. Win is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prevail is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prevail and win?
Prevail is typically associated with a more formal tone, while win can be used in both formal and informal contexts.