prevail on

Idioms  

1. Successfully persuade or influence, as in They prevailed on me to speak at their annual luncheon. This term uses prevail in the sense of “exert superior force.” It replaced prevail with in the mid-1600s.

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Example Sentences

This suggested the Justices believed the Administration was likely to prevail on the legal merits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

There is a strong argument to say they would also prevail on ice and sand, but there is no doubt court speeds have become much more uniform over the past 20 years.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

It fails, on the other hand, "when it permits confusion, ignorance, neglect, demagoguery and silence to prevail on those same items."

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2024

Wanek advised — the aluminum foundry worker said he predicted the Packers would win by 20 but was uncertain who is going to prevail on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

According to the instructions which he had received from the legislature, Franklin had a meeting with the proprietaries who then resided in England, and endeavored to prevail on them to give up their pretensions.

From The Life of Benjamin Franklin Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes by Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)

Related Words

• prevail upon