prevalere
/pre.vaˈle.re/
To prevail in Italian is prevalere.
The verb is used to describe being superior in strength, dominance, influence or frequency or to describe gaining the advantage and having the upper hand over others.
Meaning: To be superior in strength, dominance, influence or frequency, to have or gain the advantage over others, to have the upper hand (verb)
Which one should you use?
While prevalere is the standard verb for prevailing or being more frequent, the formal verb trionfare can also be used to convey the idea of prevailing through the specific sense of triumph and victory.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form is prevale (he/she/it prevails) and the third-person plural present indicative form is prevalgono (they prevail). The past participle is prevalso, which requires the auxiliary verb essere to form compound tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /pre.vaˈle.re/.
Did you know?
- The verb prevalere is used in Italian to describe not just people, but also the most common color or scent in a space, such as when a certain perfume prevale in a room.
- The phrase prevalere sulla ragione is a common way to describe an emotion or instinct that overcomes a person's logical thinking.
- The word prevalere shares a common ancestor with the English word 'valor', as both stem from the Latin root meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be worth'.
Examples in context
- La giustizia deve prevalere sulle ingiustizie.Justice must prevail over injustices.
- La ragione trionferà.Reason will prevail.
- La ragione deve prevalere sulle emozioni.Reason must prevail over emotions.
- In questa lotta, la forza della verità potrà prevalere.In this struggle, the strength of truth can prevail.
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are discussing a project at work.
- ChiaraQuale idea pensi che possa prevalere oggi?Which idea do you think will prevail today?
- MatteoPenso che la tua proposta sia la più forte.I think your proposal is the strongest.
- ChiaraSpero che possa prevalere davvero.I hope it can really prevail.
- MatteoNe sono sicuro, Chiara.I am sure of it, Chiara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prevail” translations and entries prevalere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prevalere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
