The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

ecome pretty fat since we last saw him.
prevail v. 1 hold sway, win (out), predominate, succeed, triumph, gain
or achieve a victory, prove superior, gain mastery or control:
It is sometimes disappointing to learn that right does not
always prevail. 2 predominate, be prevalent or widespread or
current, preponderate, dominate, be the order of the day: As
usual during Oktoberfest in Bavaria, revelry prevailed. 3
prevail on or upon. persuade, induce, influence, sway, dispose;
incline, win over, bring round, convince: We prevailed on the
guard to let us through the gate.
prevailing
adj. 1 dominant, predominant, prevalent, main, chief,
principal, common(est), usual, customary, universal: The
prevailing winds are westerlies. 2 influential, effective,
effectual, dominating, affecting, powerful, potent, forceful,
ruling, telling, main, principal: The prevailing religion there
is Buddhism.
prevalence
n. 1 prevalency, frequency, commonness, currency, universality,
ubiquitousness, ubiquity, pervasiveness, omnipresence,
extensiveness; predominance, practice, acceptance, popularity:
The prevalence of disease among the population is distressing.
2 sway, control, rule, primacy, ascendancy, mastery,
predominance: The prevalence of bushido in Japan has diminished
little since 1945.
prevalent adj. universal, catholic, common, frequent, prevailing,
current, ubiquitous, pervasive, omnipresent, general, usual,
customary, commonplace, extensive, widespread, established,
ascendant, dominant, predominant, governing, ruling: A desire
for change is prevalent throughout the country.
prevent v. anticipate, preclude, obviate, forestall, avert, avoid,
prohibit, ban, bar, forbid, interdict, taboo, enjoin, proscribe,
foil, frustrate, obstruct, debar, intercept, nip in the bud,
abort, thwart, check, block, ward or fend or stave off, baffle,
balk or baulk, (put a) stop (to), arrest, (bring to a) halt,
hinder, impede, curb, restrain, hamper, inhibit, delay, retard,
slow, mitigate, control: Some diseases can be prevented by
inoculation or vaccination. There is nothing to prevent us from