prevail
     v 1: be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
          "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in
          this neighborhood" [syn: {predominate}, {dominate}, {rule},
           {reign}]
     2: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
        [syn: {hold}, {obtain}]
     3: continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of
        Elvis endures" [syn: {persist}, {die hard}, {run}, {endure}]
     4: prove superior; "The champion prevailed, though it was a
        hard fight" [syn: {triumph}]
     5: use persuasion successfully; "He prevailed upon her to visit
        his parents"
Source: WordNet® 2.0