WordValeprevail
to prove more powerful; to be widespread
In more detail
1. (verb) to win or succeed, especially after a struggle
2. (verb) to be more common or widespread than other things
3. (verb) to persuade someone to do something
Examples
- 1. The home team prevailed in the final minutes of the game.
- 2. In this region, warm weather prevails during summer.
- 3. She prevailed upon her parents to let her go on the trip.
How to use prevail
Prevail is used in formal and literary contexts to mean 'win out' (often after difficulty or opposition), 'be dominant or widespread' (especially in prevailing conditions or attitudes), or 'persuade' (prevail upon/on someone). It carries a sense of ultimate success or widespread influence rather than mere momentary winning.
Common phrases
- prevail over
- prevail upon
- prevail in
- prevail against
- justice prevails
- common sense prevails
Synonyms
triumph · succeed · overcome · predominate · persist
Opposites
lose · fail · succumb
Word family
prevailing · prevalence · prevalent
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'prevail over' (to defeat or overcome) with 'prevail upon' (to persuade), which are quite different in meaning.
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