Prevail Verb Common Prevailed Pre·Vail Strong Formal English

pre·vail
\\pri-ˈvāl\\ intransitive verb1. to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority :

triumph

2. to be or become effective or effectual
3. to use persuasion successfully
    prevailed on him to sing
4. to be frequent :

predominate

    the west winds that prevail in the mountains
5. to be or continue in use or fashion :

persist

    a custom that still prevails

prevail
  late 14c., from L. prævalere "have greater power," from præ "before" + valere "have power, be strong" (see valiant).

prevail
pre·vail / pri5veil / verb [V]
1. ~ (in / among sth) to exist or be very common at a particular time or in a particular place
   普遍存在；盛行；流行:
   We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons.
   地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。
   Those beliefs still prevail among certain social groups.
   这些信念在某些社会群体中仍很盛行。
2. ~ (against / over sth) (formal) (of ideas, opinions, etc. 思想、观点等) to be accepted, especially after a struggle or an argument
   被接受；战胜；压倒
   SYN 

triumph

:
   Justice will prevail over tyranny.
   正义必将战胜暴虐。
   Fortunately, common sense prevailed.
   幸而理智占了上风。
3. [V] ~ (against / over sb) (formal) to defeat an opponent, especially after a long struggle
   (尤指长时间斗争后)战胜,挫败
 PHRASAL VERBS 
▪ pre'vail on / upon sb to do sth (formal)
   to persuade sb to do sth
   劝说:
   I'm sure he could be prevailed upon to give a talk.
   我相信能说服他来做一次报告。

prevail verb

pre·vail
\prēˈvāl, prə̇ˈ-, esp before pause or consonant -āəl\ intransitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English prevailen, modification (probably influenced by Middle English vailen to avail) of Latin praevalēre to be more able, prevail, from prae- pre- + valēre to be strong — more at ,
1. obsolete : to grow strong : increase in vigor
2. : to gain victory by virtue of strength or superiority : win mastery : — used with over or against
 < gates of hell shall not prevail against it — Mt 16:18 (Authorized Version) >
 < the ungodly o'er the just prevailed — Robert Burns >
3. : to be or become effective or effectual : be successful
 < the temptation to exploit consumers … usually prevails unless it is curbed — T.W.Arnold >
4. : to urge one successfully : succeed in persuading or inducing one — used with on, upon, or with
 < could not prevail with her to dance with him again — Jane Austen >
 < she was prevailed upon to sing for the company >
5. obsolete :
 < nothing prevails, for she is dead — Christopher Marlowe >
6. : to be or become common or widespread : be frequent :
 < link between obsolete forms of life and those which generally prevail — Thomas Hardy >
7. : to be or continue in use or fashion : ,
 < a custom that still prevails among us >
 < unable to buy at the prices now prevailing >

Synonyms: see