prevail
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To be the most common or strongest element in a situation; to triumph over opposition or difficulty.
To exist widely or be current; to persuade someone to do something; to be in force or effect (as of a law or custom).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Prevail" typically implies a degree of effort, competition, or struggle. It suggests a final, definitive outcome, often after overcoming resistance. The intransitive sense ("to be prevalent") denotes a passive state of being widespread.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The phrase 'prevail upon/on someone' (to persuade) might be slightly more common in UK usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a formal, almost weighty connotation of decisive success or dominance.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in formal writing (legal, political, journalistic contexts) than in everyday speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[intransitive] to prevail (over/against sb/sth)[intransitive] to prevail (in sth)[intransitive] to prevail (on/upon sb to do sth)[intransitive] to prevail (as in a state or condition)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Prevail upon someone”
- “Right will prevail”
- “Truth will prevail”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Despite fierce competition, our new strategy prevailed in the Asian market."
Academic
"The study examines which social norms prevailed in medieval Europe."
Everyday
"I tried to get him to leave early, but his stubbornness prevailed."
Technical
"In the simulation, the dominant genetic trait prevailed over ten generations."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Common sense prevailed in the end.
- The barrister hoped to prevail upon the judge's sense of fairness.
- A mood of optimism prevailed throughout the festival.
American English
- The home team prevailed in overtime.
- She finally prevailed on her boss to approve the budget.
- The prevailing winds come from the west.
adverb
British English
- The evidence is prevalently in his favour. (Note: 'prevalently' is the adverbial form, not directly from 'prevail')
American English
- These ideas are prevalently accepted in academia. (See note above)
adjective
British English
- The prevailing view is that interest rates will rise.
- He works against the prevailing current of opinion.
American English
- The prevailing theory has been challenged.
- Under the prevailing circumstances, we must act cautiously.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Good won over evil in the story. (Using 'win over' as a simpler alternative)
- His idea was the best, so we used it.
- In the end, peace prevailed and the fighting stopped.
- Can I prevail on you to help me move this sofa?
- Despite initial setbacks, the campaign prevailed and achieved its goals.
- A feeling of anxiety prevailed in the city before the election results.
- The plaintiff prevailed in the Supreme Court, setting a new legal precedent.
- The architect struggled to prevail against the committee's conservative tastes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PRE-VAIL' as 'before victory' – you have to fight or exist BEFORE you can win or become widespread.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS VICTORY IN BATTLE (He prevailed over his rivals), WIDESPREADNESS IS A COVERING BLANKET (A sense of gloom prevailed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'предварить' (to precede).
- The Russian 'преобладать' is close for the 'be widespread' sense, but lacks the 'triumph after struggle' nuance.
- "Prevail upon" is not directly translatable; use 'убедить' or 'склонить'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *He prevailed his opponent. (Correct: He prevailed over his opponent.)
- Confusing 'prevail' (verb) with 'prevalent' (adjective).
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'win' or 'persuade' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'A sense of calm prevailed after the storm,' what does 'prevailed' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered formal and is more common in writing, journalism, and formal speech than in casual conversation.
They are virtually synonymous. 'Prevail over' is slightly more common, but both mean to triumph over an opponent or obstacle.
Yes, frequently. It can be intransitive (e.g., 'Justice will prevail,' 'Common sense prevailed').
The primary noun is 'prevalence' (meaning commonness). For the 'triumph' sense, you would use 'prevailing' as a gerund or a synonym like 'victory' or 'triumph.'