From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishprevailpre‧vail /prɪˈveɪl/ ●○○ verb [intransitive] formal 1 EXISTif a belief, custom, situation etc prevails, it exists among a group of people at a certain timeprevail in/among etc the economic conditions which prevail in England and Wales I admired the creativity which prevailed among the young writers.2 WINif a person, idea, or principle prevails in a fight, argument etc, they are successful in the end Justice will prevail.common sense prevails/reason prevails (=a sensible decision is made) He considered lying, but then common sense prevailed.prevail over/against Your inner strength will enable you to prevail over life’s obstacles. → prevail on/upon somebody→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
prevail• Fortunately, in this case, common sense has prevailed.• Baby, baby, who's got the baby might be the prevailing motif in this work that entertains and intrigues simultaneously.• But it has been further seen that strong justification is needed for adopting a system at variance with prevailing medical views.• His weaknesses were exposed by his Republican rivals in the primaries, but he prevailed because their weaknesses were even worse.• It is doubtful that Stilwell could have prevailed even if he had managed a better performance.• If they prevail in court, they could receive up to $100,000.• But Clinton would sign the Kennedy-Kassebaum version, which is thus likely to prevail in the end.• She seems to think that animal rights should prevail over everything else.• In every case the draftsman should consider whether the plan is to prevail over the verbal description or viceversa.prevail in/among etc• Only a very stubborn man could have believed that reason would prevail in a case such as this one.• They also prevail in an era where travel abuses pale in comparison to those of earlier years.• Such comparative differences prevail in most developed and developing countries and in both rural and urban areas.• To what degree does big business prevail in our economy?• In concrete operations, reasoning and thought acquire greater stability than prevails in preoperational thought.• But Clinton would sign the Kennedy-Kassebaum version, which is thus likely to prevail in the end.• Russet and grey still prevail in the recently gale-thrashed boughs.prevail over/against• By 1900 his radicalism had prevailed over his loyalty to his employer.• In yet another scenario, group rights prevail over individual rights, but the global economy is depressed, resulting in Backlash.• All the gold stars of school could not prevail against it.• The ruling will make it more difficult for First Bank to prevail over rival Wells Fargo.• They recognize that no laws can prevail against the dissolution of the social connections and personal motivations that sustain a civilized polity.• In the interventionist state the executive is likely to prevail over the legislature.• Despite the Bougainville crisis a general optimism prevailed over the long-term prospects for the mineral sector.• In every case the draftsman should consider whether the plan is to prevail over the verbal description or viceversa.From Longman Business Dictionaryprevailpre‧vail /prɪˈveɪl/ verb [intransitive] formal1if someone or their arguments, views etc prevail, they finally win an argument after a long period of timeThe company is hoping to prevail in a court challenge to the water board ruling.prevail overKimberly-Clark is asking for a ruling that its patent should prevail over the one issued to P&G.2if an attitude or belief prevails, it continues to exist in a particular situationPessimism and gloom have continued to prevail about Britain’s economic expectations.prevail in/amongSlow holiday trading prevailed in the Treasury market yesterday.the new spirit of caution that now prevails among Japan’s car makers→ See Verb tableOrigin prevail (1300-1400) Latin praevalere, from valere “to be strong” 