prevail

/pɹɪˈveɪl/ formal

Say it: prih-VAYL

1. verb To prove more powerful or influential than opposing forces; to be victorious.
In the classic fable, the slow and steady tortoise prevails over the hasty hare.
2. verb To be widespread or current; to exist and be common.
A feeling of nervous excitement prevailed in the locker room before the championship game.
3. verb To persuade someone to do something, used with 'on' or 'upon'.
She prevailed upon her manager to approve the budget for the new project.

📖 Seen in the wild

Despite numerous challenges, justice will ultimately prevail.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ prevail in a sentence

Despite a fierce debate, the motion to increase funding for schools ultimately prevailed.
The prevailing opinion among economists is that a recession is unlikely this year.
In the end, cooler heads prevailed, and the two sides reached a compromise.
He trained for years, confident that his dedication would prevail against any challenger.
An eerie silence prevailed over the battlefield after the fighting stopped.
We prevailed upon the organizers to postpone the event until the weather improved.
History shows that empires rise and fall, but the human spirit prevails.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

triumph win succeed overcome predominate reign conquer

triumph · suggests a great, often public and celebratory, victory.

win · a more common and general term, often used for contests or games.

succeed · focuses on achieving a desired goal, not necessarily defeating an opponent.

overcome · emphasizes conquering a specific obstacle, hardship, or enemy.

Opposites: fail, lose, yield, succumb, falter

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'prevail' comes to us from the Latin 'praevalere', which breaks down into 'prae' (before) and 'valere' (to be strong, be of worth). Its original meaning was literally 'to be stronger than' or 'to have greater power', a sense it carries directly into its modern English use for being victorious.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

justice/truth/reason will prevailcooler heads prevailedcommon sense prevailedprevail over/against an opponentthe prevailing view/wind/opinion

'Prevail' carries a sense of weight and formality; it's best used for significant struggles, not minor wins. It often implies that victory was achieved against the odds or after a long effort. The construction 'prevail upon' (to persuade) is quite formal and less common in everyday speech but is perfectly appropriate in formal writing.

Word family: prevailing, prevalence

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean for 'justice to prevail'?

This common phrase means that fairness and truth will ultimately be victorious, overcoming wrongdoing or corruption. It expresses a strong hope or belief in a morally right outcome.

What is the difference between 'prevail' and 'win'?

'Prevail' is more formal and often implies overcoming significant, long-term resistance or difficulty. 'Win' is a more common, general term for succeeding in a specific contest or achieving a goal.

How do you use 'prevail upon' someone?

To 'prevail upon' or 'prevail on' someone is to successfully persuade them to do something, especially when they are initially reluctant. It's a formal way of saying you convinced them.

Is 'prevail' a formal word?

Yes, 'prevail' is generally considered a formal word. In casual conversation, people are more likely to use words like 'win', 'succeed', or 'come out on top'.

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