Meaning & use
prevailed
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“prevailed” is a form of “prevail”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveformal
won or was stronger in a contest, argument, or struggle
Grammar: No object; it often comes before 'over' or 'against' plus the person or thing that lost.
Patterns
- prevail over someone/something
- prevail against someone/something
- prevail in something
After a long legal battle, the small company prevailed over the giant corporation.
Common sense prevailed in the end, and the dangerous plan was dropped.
Their team prevailed against all expectations in the final match.
verbintransitiveformal
was common or widespread in a particular place or time
Grammar: No object; often used to describe conditions, customs, or moods that exist generally.
Patterns
- prevail in something
- prevail among someone
- prevail at a time
A mood of cautious optimism prevailed among the staff after the announcement.
In those days, strict rules prevailed at the school.
A sense of calm prevailed throughout the village during the storm.
Word forms
| base form | prevail |
|---|---|
| third person singular | prevails |
| past tense | prevailed |
| past participle | prevailed |
| present participle | prevailing |
Common combinations
- prevail over
- Good eventually prevails over evil in most stories.
- prevail against
- The underdog prevailed against the champion.
- prevail in court
- She prevailed in court and won the case.
- common sense prevails
- Let's hope common sense prevails and they cancel the event.
- conditions prevail
- Dry conditions prevailed across the region all summer.
Synonyms and how they differ
- win
- More general and neutral; 'win' can take an object (win a prize), but 'prevail' is intransitive and more formal.
- triumph
- Stronger and more dramatic than 'prevail'; it suggests a great or celebrated victory.
- dominate
- Focuses on having control or power, whereas 'prevail' focuses on coming out on top in a struggle.
Opposites
Word family
- prevailing adjective
- Most common or widespread at a particular time (the prevailing mood).
- prevalence noun
- The state of being common or widespread.
- prevalent adjective
- Existing very commonly or widely.
Commonly confused: prevailed or prevailed upon?
prevailed vs prevailed upon
'Prevail upon' means to persuade someone to do something. If you say 'I prevailed him', it is wrong; you need 'I prevailed upon him'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'prevailed' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Prevail' is intransitive and commonly takes 'over' or 'against' before the person or thing that loses. Options An and D use a direct object, which is wrong. Option C uses 'to' incorrectly; 'prevail' does not mean 'manage'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “prevailed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.