pre·vail 
/prɪˈveɪl/ verb
pre·vails; pre·vailed; pre·vail·ing /prɪˈveɪl/ verb [no obj] formal 1 : to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest
▪ Our soccer team prevailed [=won] despite the bad weather. — often + against or over ▪ He prevailed against/over last year's champion. ▪ She prevailed in a lawsuit against her doctor. [=she won a lawsuit against her doctor] — often used figuratively ▪ Justice will prevail. ▪ Truth will always prevail [=triumph] over lies. 2 : to be usual, common, or popular
▪ Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here. ▪ The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s. 3 : to be or continue to be in use
▪ The tribal custom still prevails [=persists] after hundreds of years. ▪ The law still prevails in some states.
▪ Our soccer team prevailed [=won] despite the bad weather. — often + against or over ▪ He prevailed against/over last year's champion. ▪ She prevailed in a lawsuit against her doctor. [=she won a lawsuit against her doctor] — often used figuratively ▪ Justice will prevail. ▪ Truth will always prevail [=triumph] over lies.
▪ Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here. ▪ The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s.
▪ The tribal custom still prevails [=persists] after hundreds of years. ▪ The law still prevails in some states.
prevail on/upon [phrasal verb]
prevail on/upon (someone) : to ask or persuade (someone) to do something
▪ They prevailed on/upon me to play a few tunes on the piano.
▪ They prevailed on/upon me to play a few tunes on the piano.
