prevail

IPA/prɪˈveɪl/
KK[prɪvˈel]IPA/prɪˈveɪl/

prevail — verb

  • prevailpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • prevailshe / she / it
  • prevailedpast simple
  • prevailing-ing form

1. to win in a contest or argument by sustaining your position through persistent e

1.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

to win in a contest or argument by sustaining your position through persistent effort, so that your viewpoint gains acceptance over opposing views

Example

After months of debate, Théo's argument for a shorter work week finally prevailed.

prevail + after struggle; finally prevailed

In the final round of the court case, justice prevailed over personal interests.

prevail over + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • prevail over
  • prevail against
  • justice prevails
  • reason prevails
  • prevail in the end
Synonyms
  • triumph

    more dramatic and emotional; suggests a clear, joyful victory rather than just gaining control

  • win out

    less formal; common in everyday speech, especially in phrasal form 'win out over'

  • conquer

    stronger, more decisive; implies complete defeat of an opponent rather than gradual acceptance

Antonyms
  • succumb

    opposite direction — giving in to the opponent instead of prevailing over them

  • lose

    general opposite; prevail implies winning, so losing is the direct contrary outcome

Grammar Patterns

prevail + over/against + noun phrase

Usage Note

The subject of this sense is often an abstract concept such as justice, reason, truth, or a particular viewpoint, rather than a person. The specific opponent or obstacle is introduced by the preposition 'over' or 'against'.

Common Mistakes

The team prevailed the rival in the championship.
The team prevailed over the rival in the championship.
prevail is intransitive and needs 'over' or 'against' to name the opponent.
He prevailed to pass the exam.
He prevailed in passing the exam.
use 'in' or 'over' rather than a to-infinitive to show the area of success.

2. to be broadly present or found widely across a community, region, or era — for i

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to be broadly present or found widely across a community, region, or era — for instance, a certain custom being common among older generations, or dry conditions stretching across a whole territory

Example

A strong sense of community still prevails among the older residents.

prevail among + group of people

During the dry season, hot and dusty conditions prevail across the entire region.

conditions prevail + across/in + place

Common collocations
  • conditions prevail
  • attitudes prevail
  • prevail among
  • prevail in
  • prevail throughout
Synonyms
  • predominate

    stronger emphasis on being the most frequent or influential element; more formal

  • be widespread

    more neutral and less formal; straightforward description without the formal register of prevail

  • be prevalent

    shares the same root; used in similar contexts but as an adjective rather than a verb

Antonyms
  • be rare

    if something prevails it is common, so 'rare' is the obvious opposite in frequency terms

  • be absent

    direct opposite — not present at all rather than widely present

Grammar Patterns

prevail + among/in/throughout + place or group

Usage Note

Common in academic and journalistic writing. This sense describes situations, conditions, attitudes, or customs that are broadly present at a given time or place. It is not used with a direct object and rarely takes a human subject acting intentionally.

Common Mistakes

A happy mood prevailed in the party.
A cheerful atmosphere prevailed throughout the festival.
prevail suggests something enduring and widespread; avoid using it for brief, one-time events.
Phrasal verbs

prevail on/upon

phrasal verb

to successfully persuade someone to do something, especially after repeated efforts

Zuri's friends finally prevailed upon her to take a break after working non-stop for three weeks.

The manager was prevailed on to reconsider his decision by the staff.

prevail on to do

phrasal verb

To persuade someone to do something after trying hard.

Mia prevailed on her brother to help with the dishes.

Did you prevail on the manager to extend the deadline?

prevail upon to do

phrasal verb

To persuade someone to do something after trying hard.

Sara prevailed upon her friend to join the club.

Can we prevail upon you to stay for dinner?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe success against opposition, but they differ in force and formality. 'Prevail' (C2, formal) suggests gaining acceptance or control through persistence rather than crushing force — your idea or position is the victor, not necessarily you as a person. 'Triumph' adds dramatic emotion: a triumphant victory is celebrated and deeply felt, often after a long wait ('the underdog triumphed'). 'Win out' is the informal phrasal alternative: 'common sense won out in the end' sounds natural in conversation. 'Conquer' is more decisive and forceful, implying complete defeat of the opponent ('the army conquered the region'), so it fits military or confrontational contexts but not abstract debates. For learners, 'prevail' is best reserved for formal writing and speeches; in everyday conversation, 'win out' or simply 'win' feel more natural ('truth won out in the end' vs. 'truth prevailed in the end').

triumph ↗win out ↗conquer ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • prevail in the end
  • prevail upon someone

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'prevail' entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'prevaleir', which came from Latin 'praevalēre' — a combination of 'prae-' (before, in front) and 'valēre' (to be strong, be well). The original sense was 'to be very strong or powerful', which later developed into 'to be stronger than, to overcome'. By the 1500s the second meaning, 'to be widespread or generally accepted', was also established. The related adjective 'prevalent' and noun 'prevalence' followed the same path, carrying the 'common existence' meaning.