prevail

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

prevail — 動詞

  • 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.動詞不及物C2
釋義

勝過；佔上風

在對抗或競爭中取得勝利

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

例句

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

經過數個月的辯論，Théo 關於縮短工作週的主張終於取得了勝利。

prevail + after struggle; finally prevailed

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

在法庭的最後一輪審理中，正義勝過了個人利益的考量。

prevail over + noun phrase

常見搭配
  • prevail over
  • prevail against
  • justice prevails
  • reason prevails
  • prevail in the end
同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

文法句型

prevail + over/against + noun phrase

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

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.動詞不及物C1
釋義

普遍；盛行

在特定時間或區域普遍存在

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

例句

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

年長居民之間仍然盛行著強烈的社區意識。

prevail among + group of people

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

在乾季期間，炎熱乾燥的環境遍及整個地區。

conditions prevail + across/in + place

常見搭配
  • conditions prevail
  • attitudes prevail
  • prevail among
  • prevail in
  • prevail throughout
同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

文法句型

prevail + among/in/throughout + place or group

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

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.
片語動詞

prevail on/upon

phrasal verb

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

說服；勸說

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.

說服某人做某事

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.

說服某人做某事

Sara prevailed upon her friend to join the club.

Can we prevail upon you to stay for dinner?

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • prevail in the end
  • prevail upon someone

介系詞搭配