- 1[intransitive] prevail (in/among something) to exist or be very common at a particular time or in a particular place We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. Those beliefs still prevail among certain social groups.
- 2[intransitive] prevail (against/over something) (formal) (of ideas, opinions, etc.) to be accepted, especially after a struggle or an argument synonym triumph Justice will prevail over tyranny. Fortunately, common sense prevailed.
- 3[intransitive] prevail (against/over somebody) (formal) to defeat an opponent, especially after a long struggle Phrasal Verbsprevail on
prevail
verbNAmE//prɪˈveɪl//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they prevail he / she / it prevails
past simple prevailed
-ing form prevailing
Check pronunciation: prevail