prevail
- 01 C1 Advanced
to win or be successful after a long struggle or difficult situation.
to prove superior in strength, power, or influence; to triumph over opposition.
Simple“After a long and difficult court case, justice finally prevailed.”
In context“Despite the initial setbacks and the overwhelming odds against them, the small rebel force managed to prevail over the occupying army.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'over'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to be common or exist generally in a particular place or at a particular time.
to be current, widespread, or predominant within a specific context or geographical area.
Simple“A sense of sadness prevailed throughout the small town after the factory closed.”
In context“The harsh economic conditions that prevailed during the late nineteenth century forced many families to emigrate in search of better opportunities.”
UsageTypically used in the present tense to describe customs, conditions, or weather patterns.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to successfully persuade someone to do something.
to succeed in persuading or inducing someone to act in a certain way.
Simple“We finally prevailed upon him to join us for dinner.”
In context“After hours of intense negotiation, the mediators finally prevailed upon the union leaders to accept the revised contract terms.”
UsageAlmost always used with the preposition 'upon' or 'on'.
Antonyms
Usage condition prevail
“But establishment Democrats prevailed in other Florida races this week, in the first election in the state after redistricting.”
“We should know soon if cooler heads prevail.”
From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”). Displaced native Old English rīcsian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.