to prevail over
8
5.8
- phrasal verb
- /prɪˈveɪl ˈoʊvər/
:
prevalecer sobre
- Under the French flag, liberty would overcome tyranny; knowledge would prevail over ignorance, and trade would stimulate stagnant economies.
- prevail over the system
- prevail over others
- prevail over brute force
Examples
-
In a contest as surprising as any I had ever witnessed, intellect prevailed over brute strength.
-
North America taught the world that free people will prevail over less or completely unfree peoples.
Blog text (32) -
Personal relationships create a motivation that can prevail over the fear of combat.
Academic text (2001) -
Where content was reported, a United States frame of reference prevailed over broader world news.
Academic text (1990) -
Once again, the Black Masque power prevails over evil.
-
When the statutory law and case law conflict with each other, the statutory law prevails over the case law.
Academic text (2017) -
Common interests have largely prevailed over disagreements, and the countries have become much friendlier.
Academic text (2003) -
And one can hope that the Iraqis' pride in their cultural heritage will prevail over attempts to obliterate it.
Academic text (2007) -
The prospect that moderate nationalism will prevail over its nastier alternative is uncertain.
Academic text (1992) -
In the end, teamwork and dedication prevailed over the obstacles they faced.
Synonyms
397
3.7
To take control of a place by force or to beat something hard like a fear
275
3.7
To have strong control over people or things
229
5.1
To be stronger or more successful and win in the end
100
4.6
To be better than another person or thing
78
4.8
Beat someone by doing something better
49
5.2
To be the most powerful influence in a situation
42
4.0
Defeat someone or something completely using greater force
33
3.8
To use more strength to defeat and control a person or thing
30
4.8
Do better than someone or something
15
4.8
Do better and get more attention than others
8
4.6
To be much better than someone or something
8
6.7
To be more common or important than others
2
6.1
To do better than someone or something and win
1
9.1
To defeat and control someone or something completely
To try to be better than someone in a contest or task
Be better than someone or something in a competition
To keep an advantage or control over others
Antonyms
How Powerful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'prevail' already means 'be more powerful or win' and the preposition 'over' simply marks the target, so the combination transparently yields 'to triumph against someone or something.' This is a straightforward verb + preposition composition that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily derive the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The verb prevail over paints a simple picture: imagine two people or forces pushing, and one keeps being stronger until it finally wins. So, prevail over means 'to be stronger than' or 'to win' against someone or something.