prevail
基本释义
[verb] prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious
[动词] 证明比对立势力更加强大；获胜
深入解读
Prevail 一词结构比较简单，就是由前缀 pre （前）+词根 vail （强壮的）构成，于15世纪经古法语 prevaleir 或者直接由拉丁语 praevalere （变得更强或更能干、拥有更大的能力）进入英语后，最初用来表示“成功、奏效”。
等到了15世纪中期后， prevail 开始发展出现在的基本含义“获胜、占优势、占上风”，主要指思想、观点、原则、提议等在力量、优势、影响、频率等方面比对立势力更加强大，并获得支配地位，常用搭配 prevail against/over sth 作正式用语使用，比如：
- 正如真理终将战胜谬误，善也终将战胜恶。
As truth prevails over error, goodness tends to supersede badness.
从这个概念出发，等到了16世纪70年代后， prevail 进一步发展出短语动词 prevail on/upon sb to do sth 表示“劝说、说服”某人做某事，主要指成功说服或诱导某人去做某件不想做的事情，强调通过持续的争论、压力或者有说服力的呼吁来克服对方的反对或不情愿，也是作正式用语使用，比如：
- 杰斐逊起初表示反对，但最终被说服，接受了这一任命。
Jefferson at first demurred but was eventually prevailed upon to accept the appointment.
而从支配地位这个概念出发，到了1776年后， prevail 又被用来引申指“流行、盛行”，主要指风俗、态度、情形、气氛等在某一特定时间内广泛传播或流行于某一特定人群或地区中，占据主导地位，比如：
- 在富豪当政的国家里，人们见利忘义。
Financial, not moral, considerations will prevail in a plutocracy.
好书例句
‘She got steeped in the shower of yesterday evening, and there she has sat the night through, and I couldn’t prevail on her to stir.’
“她昨天晚上在大雨里泡，而且她又坐了个通宵，我也没法劝得她动一动。”
出自英国女作家艾米莉·勃朗特（Emily Brontë）的小说《呼啸山庄》（Wuthering Heights）。
外刊例句
- The business models of big tech firms are, however, too successful and too lucrative to change, so Mr Lanier’s views are unlikely to prevail.
然而，大科技公司的商业模式太成功、太赚钱，难以有所改变。因此，拉尼尔的观点不太可能会大行其道。
——《经济学人》 - Microsoft could still prevail, in court and in the market, but it will not escape unscathed.
在法庭与市场上，微软都可能占上风，但无论如何都不可能毫发无损，全身而退。
——《时代周刊》
常见短语
- Prevail over (战胜) – To defeat or overcome someone or something.
- Example: With determination and hard work, she prevailed over her challenges and achieved success.
- Prevail against (抵抗) – To withstand or resist someone or something.
- Example: The fortress was built to prevail against enemy attacks.
- Prevail in (在…中占上风) – To be dominant or successful in a particular situation.
- Example: Despite the tough competition, their team prevailed in the championship match.
- Prevail upon (劝说) – To convince or persuade someone to do something.
- Example: She managed to prevail upon him to change his mind and join the project.
- Prevail upon someone’s kindness (依靠某人的善意) – To ask for someone’s help or favor based on their kind nature.
- Example: I had no choice but to prevail upon her kindness and ask for a loan.
- Prevail over adversity (战胜逆境) – To overcome and succeed despite challenging circumstances.
- Example: Their strong spirit and determination helped them prevail over adversity.
- Prevail in a legal battle (在法律战斗中获胜) – To win a legal case or lawsuit.
- Example: After years of litigation, the plaintiff finally prevailed in the legal battle.
- Prevail in an argument (在争论中取胜) – To win or come out on top in a debate or disagreement.
- Example: Despite opposing views, she managed to prevail in the argument with well-reasoned points.
- Prevailing opinion (主流观点) – The widely accepted or dominant viewpoint on a particular topic.
- Example: The prevailing opinion among experts is that climate change is caused by human activities.
- Prevailing winds (主要风向) – The predominant direction of winds in a particular area or region.
- Example: The prevailing winds from the east brought cooler temperatures to the coastal region.
- Prevailing belief (主流信念) – The commonly held belief or conviction among a group of people.
- Example: In many cultures, there is a prevailing belief in the power of superstitions.
- Prevailing culture (主导文化) – The dominant or influential culture within a society or organization.
- Example: The prevailing culture in the company promotes collaboration and teamwork.
- Prevailing trend (主流趋势) – The current or popular trend that is widely followed or accepted.
- Example: Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are the prevailing trends in the fashion industry.
- Prevailing economic conditions (主导经济状况) – The overall state of the economy at a given time.
- Example: The prevailing economic conditions have led to an increase in unemployment rates.
- Prevailing theory (主流理论) – The widely accepted or dominant theory in a particular field of study.
- Example: The prevailing theory in astrophysics explains the origins of the universe.
- Prevailing fashion (主导时尚) – The current or popular style of clothing and accessories.
- Example: The prevailing fashion this season includes bold colors and retro-inspired designs.
- Prevail with ease (轻松取胜) – To achieve victory or success without much effort or resistance.
- Example: The talented athlete prevailed with ease in the track and field competition.
- Prevail in the face of adversity (面对逆境而取胜) – To overcome challenges and achieve success despite difficult circumstances.
- Example: Their determination and resilience allowed them to prevail in the face of adversity.
- Prevailing market conditions (主导市场条件) – The current or dominant conditions in the market that influence business operations.
- Example: Companies need to adapt their strategies to the prevailing market conditions to stay competitive.
- Prevailing wisdom (主流智慧) – The widely accepted or conventional wisdom on a particular subject.
- Example: The prevailing wisdom suggests that early childhood education is crucial for development.
同近义词
triumph: achieve a victory; be successful
conquer: successfully overcome (a problem or weakness)
reign: (of a quality or condition) prevail; predominate
