Prevail — Meaning, Definition, & Examples | SAT Vocabulary
May you always PREVAIL with your good intentions. Plus, do you remember PROXY?
Today’s word (prevail) has a lot of different meanings! The word is also related to another important word, prevalent (meaning widespread).
📚️ Definition of Prevail
Prevail (verb): To prove more powerful than opposing forces; to be victorious. Example: justice will prevail. To successfully persuade someone to do something (used with on/upon. Example: to prevail on him to pay for dinner. To be widespread in a particular area or at a particular time. Example: a feeling of pessimism prevails.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Prevail
IPA: /prɪˈveɪl/ (See IPA key)
Respelling: prih-VAYL
📰 Examples of Prevail
Here are some examples of the word prevail:
Despite the odds, the less-funded team managed to prevail in overtime.
Common sense did not prevail when the city decided to close the major thoroughfare during the busy summer.
I was prevailed upon to give an impromptu speech when the best man showed up too inebriated to enunciate his words.
As a child, I was led to believe that common sense in adulthood would prevail; now as an adult, I realize both that I was duped and why I was led to believe this.
🧠 Vocab Challenge: What Does Proxy Mean?
Recently, we learned the word proxy. Do you remember what it means? Test your knowledge:
PROXY most nearly means
A) substitute
B) proximity
C) process
D) prodigy
Post your answer below! I will update later in the comments.
That’s it. All done for today. You did great!
The majority is (currently) correct! PROXY most nearly means A) substitute.