prevail
To win or be stronger than another person, group, or force, especially after a hard fight or long time.
To win, succeed, or prove stronger than an opponent, difficulty, or opposing force.
To be very common in a place or situation, or to be the main way people think or act there.
To exist or be the most common or important feature in a particular place, time, or situation.
To get someone to do something by asking again and again or by giving good reasons.
To successfully persuade someone to do something, especially by asking many times or giving strong reasons.
- Base: prevail
- 3rd Person Singular: prevails
- Present Participle: prevailing
- Past: prevailed
justice will prevail
1belief that justice will win
Used to say that in the end, what is fair and right will win over lies, crime, or unfair behavior.
- Despite the setback, the lawyer told the family that justice would prevail.
- People lit candles in the square, hoping that justice would prevail.
- He still believes that justice will prevail and his name will be cleared.
prevail on/upon [someone]
1persuade someone after effort
To persuade someone to do something, usually by asking many times or giving strong reasons.
- They eventually prevailed on the manager to extend the deadline.
- Her family prevailed upon her to take a short break from work.
- We tried to prevail on him to apologize, but he refused.
prevail over [someone/something]
1win against opposition
To win against someone or something, especially after a hard fight or long time.
- In the end, their patience prevailed over their anger.
- Democracy must prevail over extremism.
- The home team prevailed over their rivals in a tense final.