prevailed over

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevailed over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an instance where one person or thing is able to overpower or defeat another. Example: After a long and difficult battle, the brave knight finally prevailed over his enemy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Stress prevailed over everything," she added.

The New York Times - Sports

So, cowardice prevailed over principle this weekend.

Independent

"Justice has prevailed over politics today".

The New York Times

They prevailed over Sun Microsystems.

The New York Times - Tech

America First prevailed over considerations of character.

The New Yorker

Elsewhere in Abidjan, fear prevailed over anger.

The New York Times

This learned behaviour prevailed over innate phototropism.

Nature

An emotional maturity has prevailed over despair.

The New York Times - Sports

One year later, continuity has largely prevailed over change.

Columbia University

In the end, Mutharika prevailed over donor resistance.

The New York Times

These arguments prevailed over policymakers in both Europe and America.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailed over" when you want to emphasize that one entity or idea was stronger or more successful than another, especially after a challenge or struggle. For instance, "Justice prevailed over corruption".

Common error

While "prevailed over" is a strong phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "overcame", "triumphed", or "conquered" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailed over" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating that one entity or concept has been more powerful or successful than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailed over" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the triumph of one entity or concept over another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It functions to assert dominance or victory and maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, including news, scientific, and academic writing. While it's a strong phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "overcame" or "triumphed over" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triumphed over

Replaces "prevailed" with a synonym emphasizing victory.

overcame

A more concise way of expressing success against an obstacle.

conquered

Implies a more forceful or complete victory.

gained the upper hand

Focuses on achieving a dominant position.

won out over

Suggests a victory after a period of struggle or competition.

proved superior to

Highlights the higher quality or strength of the winning entity.

bested

A more informal term for defeating someone or something.

was victorious against

A more descriptive way to express triumph.

gained ascendancy over

Emphasizes rising to a position of power or influence.

dominated

Suggests complete control or power over something.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailed over" in a sentence?

Use "prevailed over" to show that someone or something was ultimately more successful than another. Example: "In the end, diplomacy "prevailed over" aggression".

What are some alternatives to "prevailed over"?

You can use alternatives such as "overcame", "triumphed over", or "conquered" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prevailed over" or "dominated"?

While both suggest superiority, ""prevailed over"" implies a struggle or challenge that was overcome. "Dominated" suggests a more complete and sustained control without necessarily implying a previous challenge.

What is the difference between "prevailed over" and "gained the upper hand"?

"Prevailed over" indicates ultimate success after a period of conflict or competition. "Gained the upper hand" suggests achieving a more advantageous position, but not necessarily a final victory.