Words are important because they are what we use to convey our thoughts, feelings, and opinions to others. However, our choice of words is often overlooked, and we end up misusing certain words. Today, we will examine the word “prevail,” its definition, what it means, and how we can correctly use it in our day-to-day conversations.
The word “prevail” best definition is the act of proving more powerful, compelling, or superior. It can also be defined as being triumphant or winning. The word prevail gets extensive usage in sentences that indicate victory or dominance over something or someone.
Our goal is by the end of this article you’ll have learned much more about “prevail definition,” how to spell it, its history, etymology, and the best example sentences. Let’s jump in.
What Is the Definition of Prevail?
The Cambridge dictionary defines prevail as “to gain control or influence.” Prevail is the best word to describe an example of when a new entity takes possession of the existing one.
People want to prevail because they want the satisfaction of winning or thriving over something. To triumph in life, you have to learn how to prevail over any obstacle. Note that the “prevail definition” is not the same for everyone.
For some people, wanting to stand out from their peers is essential so being different is a form of prevailing. For others to succeed in life, it is necessary to achieve and be the best at everything they do and not allow anything to hold them back.
What Is the Meaning of Prevail?
Besides gaining control, another meaning of “prevail” is to persuade a person to do something. In this case, prevail means to coerce, pressurize or force someone.
For instance, if you force someone into doing an errand, we can say you prevailed upon them to do an errand. Prevail can also be used to express the defeat of an opponent in a brutal contest. For example, if it’s an election and one candidate won, we can say they prevailed despite the grueling campaigns.
The word “prevail” can also describe something normal, ordinary, or popular. For instance, we can say that certain activities have prevailed since the 1980s. It means that since the 1980s, certain activities have become common in a particular society or organization.
To sum them up, prevail is a word that has several meanings, which are;
- To prove more powerful or dominant.
- To persuade someone into doing something.
- To defeat an opponent in a long and challenging contest.
- To be ordinary or popular.
- To be or is in continued use.
How to Use Prevail in a Sentence?
Prevail can be used in sentences as a verb, an adverb, and an adjective. Let’s look at its various applications.
As a Verb
Prevail, when used as a verb, shows dominance or influence. For example, in the sentence ‘Peace and logic will prevail in our next meeting,’ the word has been demonstrated that peace and logic will influence the meeting.
An Adverb
When prevail is used as an adverb, it can show an action continuously in use. For instance, in the sentence ‘That country is prevailingly Islamic.’ The word reflects a large number of Muslims in the said country.
It can also show something usual or general. For example, the sentence ‘That custom is still prevalently practiced in the society today.’ It shows how common the custom is.
As an Adjective
When used as an adjective, it can show something widespread or preferred. For instance, the sentence ‘Facebook and Instagram are the prevalent social media apps among teenagers.’ It tells us that these social media apps are the preferred apps among teenagers.
The adjective form of prevailing can also mean the most significant force. In the sentence ‘Those who have gone against the prevailing regime have been dealt with.’ The word ‘prevailing’ shows how predominant the regime is.
10 Examples of Prevail in a Sentence
From the examples above, we have seen the various definitions of ‘prevail’ and how different variations can bring out different meanings. Next, we examine the word ‘prevail’ as a verb, adverb, and adjective in the following ten sentences below to understand the word better.
- In Baby Beach Maui, the Westerly winds prevail almost all year round, making the island great for bodyboarding.
- The islands of Hawaii and Barbados are prevailingly considered vacation spots by many people.
- The brothers argued bitterly, and the meeting almost ended in a fight; however, they eventually purged their anger and resolved their differences, and peace prevailed again.
- The Golden State Warriors prevailed and became champions despite the several challenges they faced as a team.
- Fish and chicken farming are some of the prevalent agricultural activities in the region.
- Did you know that in the 1960s, wearing bell-bottoms was the prevalent trend in both the United Kingdom and the United States?
- He tried talking to them, begged them to see reason, and even promised to consider their requests, but his efforts could not change the people’s prevailing stubborn attitude.
- Despite eating leafy vegetables and fruits, a rabbit’s diet prevalently consists of hay and pellets.
- It is a bold decision to stand up for those oppressed, even if it means going against the prevailing regime.
- He told me that as a bodybuilder, his diet is prevailingly rich in protein which helps in muscle growth.
How Do You Spell Prevail?
The correct spelling of the word ‘prevail’ is [p-r-e-v-a-i-l], according to the International Phonetic Alphabet
Spelling plays a vital part in your daily activities. Whether you’re drafting a memo at work, writing an email to a friend, or even working on an essay for school, how you spell your words is of great importance. If not taken seriously, spelling errors can make you look sloppy and unprofessional.
How Do You Pronounce Prevail?
To pronounce the word, break it into two syllables; ‘pri’ and ‘vayl’ and pronounce it as “pri.vayl.” It is essential to note that no letter in the word is silent.
The correct pronunciation of words in any language is vital in speaking skillfully. Whether you’re a native speaker or learning a new language, articulation of the language’s sounds with the correct stress and intonation will determine whether you speak it to the required standard.
How Many Syllables Are in Prevail?
‘Prevail’ can be divided into two syllables, ‘pre’ and ‘vail.’
By definition, a syllable is a part of any word containing the word’s sounds with a vowel and accompanying consonants. Syllables, also known as ‘beats,’ are usually noticeable when one opens and closes the mouth when mouthing words.
For instance, when pronouncing the word prevail, you’ll notice that your chin dropped twice, meaning that the word has two syllables. However, when the word ‘prevalence’ is pronounced, your chin drops three times to reflect the three syllables of the word.
Prevail Synonyms
- Gain
- Prove
- Win
- Obtain
Prevail Antonyms
- Lose
- Yield
- Fail
- Forfeit
History & Etymology of Prevail
Prevail is derived from two Latin words, ‘prae,’ which means ‘before,’ and ‘valere,’ which means ‘have power.’ Together, these two Latin words become ‘praevalere’ which means ‘have greater power.’
The word prevail came about from the French word prévaloir, which means ‘to dominate or have influence over,’ and praevalēre, a Latin word meaning ‘to have a greater force’ or ‘to have an advantage over. The English version came from various Middle English words such as provaile and prevailen, which stem from the phrase availen, which means an advantage or of use.
When Was Prevail First Used?
The Etymology Online Dictionary indicates that the word was first used in 1776.
Prevail comes from an old French word from the 1400s prevaleir and from the Latin phrase praevalere ‘meaning to have more influence’ or ‘to be stronger. The Latin word praevalere comes from prae, meaning ‘before,’ and valere, meaning to be in control or more robust. Its Middle English variation prevailen means to be victorious.
If you look back at the word and its variations, it’s safe to say that despite its history, the term ‘prevail’ has still kept the original meaning derived from its French and Latin counterparts, which is to have control or dominate over. Grammar enthusiasts love using the word for its rich history.
Conclusion
In summary, “prevail” has various meanings, which, however, are all related. The term is mainly used to show someone having control or dominance over another. It can also be used to refer to a situation that is common, normal, or popular, and more so, to force someone into doing something.
Because words are what we use to convey our thoughts and feelings, it’s worth learning what some of the standard terms we use every day mean. We have seen that the word ‘prevail’ has several definitions with different uses. We have also seen how the applications of the word adjective and adverb forms, not forgetting the word’s history.
We believe you’ll have much more confidence the next time you use the word prevail in your conversations. Browse our other posts to keep learning new words.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.