1Prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious.

1. 1.1 Be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current.
   an atmosphere of crisis prevails

   Example sentencesExamples

   • My latest academic upload again points to the generally unscientific culture that prevails in academic psychology.
   • The cynicism prevailing among the new generation deprives society of the inflow of fresh ideas.
   • But they warned that if no rain falls within the next two months, a crisis might prevail in the area.
   • It is, if you like, the humanitarian consequences of this legal vacuum that currently prevails there.
   • Natural Healing Crystals are on display in the store and a calming atmosphere prevails.
   • Jakarta's festive mood also prevailed in most other areas of the nation as millions of people celebrated on the day.
   • The atmosphere prevailing in the tribal belt has thrown up a serious challenge to the secular forces.
   • The family home we stayed in was small, basic, clean and with a very friendly atmosphere prevailing.
   • Villages will always win over towns because the community spirit prevails more with lesser areas of population.
   • After racing a wonderful atmosphere prevailed which led to an almighty sing song.
   • Everything feels dinky and a certain pre-war atmosphere prevails as we huddle inside, watching the rain lash at the portholes.
   • You will have domestic worries and an unsettled atmosphere will prevail at home.
   • A feverish atmosphere prevails at an otherwise-calm environment of the Museum complex.
   • These measures would greater assist in dealing with the problems currently prevailing.
   • There, trained facilitators ensure that a positive, supportive atmosphere prevails.
   • Cuba will make every effort to preserve the atmosphere of détente and mutual respect that has prevailed in that area in the past few years.
   • As it was the final meeting of the season before the Summer break, a festive atmosphere prevailed.
   • Others are just private murderous mafias that thrive in the atmosphere of lawlessness that prevails in large parts of the country.
   • A great atmosphere prevailed around the town in the afternoon with the amusements arcades open again.
   • Only when this has been set in place will we be able to assess the extent of the order that currently prevails.

   Synonyms

   exist, be in existence, be present, be the case, hold, obtain, occur, be prevalent, be current, be rife, be rampant, be the order of the day, be customary, be established, be common, be widespread, be in force, be in effect

   current, existing, prevalent, usual, common, most usual, commonest, most frequent, general, mainstream
2. 1.2prevail on/upon Persuade (someone) to do something.
   she was prevailed upon to give an account of her work

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Why has that nation not prevailed upon that government in which the satellite station is located to prevent the airing of these videotapes?
   • Doolittle agrees but prevails on Eliza to give him some money after which he jubilantly gives voice to his general philosophy, ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’.
   • The authorities will be prevailed upon to ensure better living conditions for the senior citizens within the area, Mr Bhaskar said.
   • I mean, eventually I prevailed upon her to show me, for instance, how to read a story without blinking your eyes.
   • Soon hurlers started prevailing on him to repair hurleys for them, a service for the players which later developed into cutting and shaping new hurleys from a piece of raw wood.
   • He said since the issue was of urgent importance and the Chief Minister prevailed upon him, the implementation of the project was expedited.
   • And the City Police Commissioner prevailed upon the State Home Secretary!
   • Every home in the parish was prevailed upon to assist.
   • But the boaters prevailed upon the lieutenant to let them in.
   • He prevails upon a fey young Australian girl, haunted by ghosts of the past, to drive him across the outback so he can claim the car.
   • If there is such, the surveyor involved should be prevailed upon to discover whether measures have been taken to obviate flooding, and if so, whether they work.
   • With every reading of a death warrant, well-oiled machinery, comprising local and foreign lawyers, has kicked into action, repeatedly prevailing upon the courts to stay the hangman's hand.
   • With that, Jefferson finally prevails upon us to return to work.
   • The sales assistants must have prevailed upon me.
   • Set in a college situation, the fiery hero does not fall for the glances of the heroine, right from the start to the end and, instead, prevails upon the heroine to identify her priorities right.
   • I have helped all kinds of disabled persons to set up telephone booths, prevailing upon the BSNL.
   • He said the older men ‘were prevailing upon him’ to hand over items in payment.
   • If that MP can be prevailed upon to contact a minister of state and request a reply, the response will be referred to and drafted by the relevant civil servants.
   • It was a nice song, I liked it so much I prevailed upon my Dad to buy it for me…
   • The banks have been successful in prevailing upon this section to realise that there is joy in borrowing money too, and, of course, to the extent that it is spent to add style to living.

   Synonyms

   persuade, induce, talk someone into, coax, convince, make, get, press someone into, win someone over, sway, bring someone round, argue someone into, urge, pressure someone into, pressurize someone into, bring pressure to bear on, coerce, influence, prompt