Prevail vs. Win — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 5, 2024
"Prevail" suggests overcoming through strength or endurance in adversarial situations, whereas "win" refers specifically to being victorious in a competition or challenge.
Difference Between Prevail and Win
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Prevail is often used in contexts where long-term challenges or adversities are overcome, implying a struggle against substantial odds. Whereas win is typically used in scenarios like games or competitions where clear victory conditions are defined.
Prevail connotes enduring success, possibly after a series of setbacks or over a long period. On the other hand, win often implies a more immediate success, usually in a direct contest or measurable performance against others.
Prevail can also imply a moral or ethical superiority, or survival of an ideology or principle against opposition. Whereas win is generally neutral regarding the nature of the competition or the methods employed.
Prevail suggests a broader application and can be used in legal, social, or even personal psychological contexts, referring to the outcome of enduring resilience. Whereas intestines tend to focus more narrowly on the specific instance of competing and achieving first place or the highest score.
Prevail is less about a single moment of triumph and more about the capacity to remain standing or relevant through trials. Whereas win encapsulates the moment of triumph, the crossing of a finish line, or the securing of a championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
To prove more powerful or superior in a struggle.
To be successful or victorious in a contest.
Connotation
Strength through endurance or moral superiority.
Achievement in a defined competition.
Usage Context
Broad contexts including ideological struggles.
Specific contests, games, or measurable events.
Timeframe
Often long-term, after enduring challenges.
Immediate, following an event or competition.
Focus
Overcoming adversity or maintaining principles.
Achieving specific goals or ranks.
Compare with Definitions
Prevail
To be successful after a struggle or despite difficulties.
Justice will prevail in the end.
Win
Often used in sports and games.
Our team won the championship.
Prevail
Reflects a victory in terms of lasting influence or relevance.
In the debate, his arguments prevailed.
Win
Implies success in a specific event or challenge.
He won the chess tournament.
Prevail
Can suggest superiority or dominance in a broader sense.
His innovative ideas prevailed in the meeting.
Win
To achieve first place in a contest or competition.
She won the gold medal in skiing.
Prevail
Implies enduring or surviving through challenging circumstances.
She prevailed against all odds.
Win
Can be used in business or personal achievements.
He won her heart with his kindness.
Prevail
Often used in moral or ideological contexts.
Despite resistance, truth prevailed.
Win
Associated with gaining or receiving a reward or title.
They won a lucrative contract.
Prevail
To be greater in strength or influence; triumph
The home team prevailed against the visitors. Shouldn't the public interest prevail over an individual's?.
Win
To achieve victory or finish first in a competition.
Prevail
To be most common or frequent; be predominant
A region where snow and ice prevail.
Win
To achieve success in an effort or venture
Struggled to overcome the handicap and finally won.
Prevail
To be in force, use, or effect; be current
An ancient tradition that still prevails.
Win
To achieve victory or finish first in
Won the race.
Prevail
To use persuasion or inducement successfully. Often used with on, upon, or with.
Win
To receive as a prize or reward for performance
Won a gold medal.
Prevail
(intransitive) To be superior in strength, dominance, influence, or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.
Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag.
Win
To achieve or obtain by effort
Win concessions in negotiations.
Prevail
(intransitive) To triumph; to be victorious.
Win
To gain (respect or love, for example) by effort
Won their loyalty.
Prevail
(intransitive) To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.
In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.
Win
To make (one's way) with effort.
Prevail
(intransitive) To succeed in persuading or inducing.
I prevailed on him to wait.
Win
To reach with difficulty
The ship won a safe port.
Prevail
To avail.
Win
To take in battle; capture
Won the heights after a fierce attack.
Prevail
To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to succeed; - sometimes with over or against.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
So David prevailed over the Philistine.
This kingdom could never prevail against the united power of England.
Win
To succeed in gaining the affection or loyalty of (someone)
He wooed and won her.
Prevail
To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day.
This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the warier skeptics, as far as it prevails.
Win
To succeed in gaining the favor or support of; prevail on
Her eloquence won over the audience.
Prevail
To persuade or induce; - with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait.
He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
Win
To discover and open (a vein or deposit) in mining.
Prevail
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
Money reigns supreme here
Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
Win
To extract from a mine or from mined ore.
Prevail
Be valid, applicable, or true;
This theory still holds
Win
A victory, especially in a competition.
Prevail
Continue to exist;
These stories die hard
The legend of Elvis endures
Win
First place in a competition.
Prevail
Prove superior;
The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight
Win
An amount won or earned.
Prevail
Use persuasion successfully;
He prevailed upon her to visit his parents
Win
To conquer, defeat.
Win
To reach some destination or object, despite difficulty or toil (now usually intransitive, with preposition or locative adverb).
Win
(transitive) To triumph or achieve victory in (a game, a war, etc.).
Win
(transitive) To gain (a prize) by succeeding in competition or contest.
To win the jackpot in a lottery;
To win a bottle of wine in a raffle
Win
(transitive) To obtain (someone) by wooing; to make an ally or friend of (frequently with over).
Win
(intransitive) To achieve victory.
Who would win in a fight between an octopus and a dolphin?
Win
(intransitive) To have power, coercion or control.
Ever since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Bostonians now run as "One Boston." The terrorists did not win.
Win
(transitive) To obtain (something desired).
The company hopes to win an order from the government worth over 5 million dollars.
Win
(transitive) To cause a victory for someone.
The success of the economic policies should win Mr. Smith the next elections.
The policy success should win the elections for Mr. Smith.
Win
To extract (ore, coal, etc.).
Win
To defeat or surpass someone or something.
Win
To dry by exposure to the wind.
Win
An individual victory.
Our first win of the season put us in high spirits.
Win
(slang) A feat carried out successfully; a victorious achievement.
Win
(obsolete) Gain; profit; income.
Win
(obsolete) Wealth; goods owned.
Win
(Scotland) Pleasure; joy; delight.
Win
To gain by superiority in competition or contest; to obtain by victory over competitors or rivals; as, to win the prize in a gate; to win money; to win a battle, or to win a country.
Thy well-breathed horseImpels the flying car, and wins the course.
Win
To allure to kindness; to bring to compliance; to gain or obtain, as by solicitation or courtship.
Thy virtue wan me; with virtue preserve me.
She is a woman; therefore to be won.
Win
To gain over to one's side or party; to obtain the favor, friendship, or support of; to render friendly or approving; as, to win an enemy; to win a jury.
Win
To come to by toil or effort; to reach; to overtake.
Even in the porch he him did win.
And when the stony path began,By which the naked peak they wan,Up flew the snowy ptarmigan.
Win
To extract, as ore or coal.
Win
To gain the victory; to be successful; to triumph; to prevail.
Nor is it aught but justThat he, who in debate of truth hath won,should win in arms.
Win
A victory (as in a race or other competition);
He was happy to get the win
Win
Something won (especially money)
Win
Be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious;
He won the Gold Medal in skating
Our home team won
Win the game
Win
Win something through one's efforts;
I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese
Gain an understanding of international finance
Win
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
Win
Attain success or reach a desired goal;
The enterprise succeeded
We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
She struggled to overcome her handicap and won
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to prevail?
To overcome adversaries or difficulties, often in a broader or more enduring sense.
What does it mean to win?
To be successful in a contest, achieving first place or meeting set victory conditions.
Can prevail and win be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap, prevail often suggests a deeper, more enduring success, whereas win focuses on specific achievements.
Is prevailing the same as winning?
Prevailing can include winning but is broader, often involving moral or long-term success.
What are examples of prevailing?
Overcoming long-term adversity, enduring through crises, or maintaining ethical standards against opposition.
Does prevailing imply a competition?
Not necessarily, it can also involve overcoming non-competitive challenges.
What are examples of winning?
Winning a race, securing a victory in a board game, or achieving top sales in a company.
Does winning always involve a prize?
Often, but not always, as winning can simply mean achieving a personal goal.
Can you win without prevailing?
Yes, winning can occur in situations where the long-term success or endurance isn't a factor.
Which is more significant, to prevail or to win?
The significance depends on context; prevailing might be seen as deeper or more meaningful in enduring challenges.
Can you prevail without winning?
Yes, one can prevail by overcoming personal or collective challenges without being in a competitive setting.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Assyrian vs. Syrian
Next Comparison
Explain vs. ExplicitateAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
