Crossword Dictionary

WIN

win - v 
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious; "He won the Gold Medal in skating"; "Our home team won"; "Win the game" 

wordplays

Synonyms

conquer, prevail, triumph, overcome, sweep, squeak, squeeze, contend, vie, succeed, breeze, romp

merriam-webster

Examples

“I only want to see whether you will let me win this ten, or beat it.”

“He mentally appointed a governor, one who would win the hearts of the people.”

“He began to understand why and couldn't help but feel frustrated at having to find a way to win her instead of command her.”

yourdictionary

Etymology

"be victorious," c. 1300 fusion of Old English winnan "to labor, toil, struggle for, work at, strive, fight," and gewinnan "to gain or succeed by struggling, conquer, obtain," both from Proto-Germanic *wennanan "to seek to gain" (source also of Old Saxon winnan, Old Norse vinna, Old Frisian winna, Dutch winnen "to gain, win," Danish vinde "to win," Old High German winnan "to strive, struggle, fight," German gewinnen "to gain, win," Gothic gawinnen "to suffer, toil"), from PIE root *wen- (1) "to desire, strive for."

Related: Won; winning. Meaning "gain the affection or esteem of" is from c. 1600. Breadwinner preserves the sense of "toil" in Old English winnan. Phrase you can't win them all (1954) first attested in Raymond Chandler. Winningest is attested by 1804.

etymonline