prevail

pre|vail /prɪv'eɪl/ (prevails prevailing prevailed)
1 [VERB] V, V over n
If a proposal, principle, or opinion prevails, it gains influence or is accepted, often after a struggle or argument.
We hope that common sense would prevail...
Political and personal ambitions are starting to prevail over economic interests.
= triumph
2 [VERB] V, V-ing
If a situation, attitude, or custom prevails in a particular place at a particular time, it is normal or most common in that place at that time.
A similar situation prevails in America...
How people in a certain era bury their dead says much about the prevailing attitudes toward death.
3 [VERB] V, V over/against n
If one side in a battle, contest, or dispute prevails, it wins.
He appears to have the votes he needs to prevail...
I do hope he will prevail over the rebels.
4 [VERB] V upon/on n to-inf
If you prevail upon someone to do something, you succeed in persuading them to do it. (FORMAL)
We must, each of us, prevail upon our congressman to act...

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