/ prɪˈveɪl; NAmE / verb [ v ]
1.
prevail (in / among sth) 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.
prevail (against / over sth) ( formal ) ( of ideas, opinions, etc. ) to be accepted, especially after a struggle or an argument
SYN triumph :
Justice will prevail over tyranny.
Fortunately, common sense prevailed.
3.
[ v ] prevail (against / over sb) ( formal ) to defeat an opponent, especially after a long struggle
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PHRASAL VERBS
- prevail on / upon sb to do sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin praevalere have greater power, from prae before + valere have power.