Synonyms of forestall

forestall

verb

fȯr-ˈstȯl 

as in to prevent

to keep from happening by taking action in advance

you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prevent
• avert
• preclude
• avoid
• obviate
• help
• provide
• anticipate
• escape
• head off
• deter
• neutralize
• stave off
• thwart
• nullify
• evade
• hinder
• impede
• save
• deflect
• counteract
• hamper
• negate
• shake
• prohibit
• retard
• interfere (with)
• frustrate
• shun
• offset
• forbid
• elude
• eschew
• stop
• circumvent
• balk
• inhibit
• ward (off)
• stall
• counterbalance
• block
• fend (off)
• halt
• foil
• make up (for)
• checkmate
• compensate (for)
• dodge
• check
• arrest
• shirk
• bar
• baffle
• duck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assist
• aid
• facilitate
• promote
• abet
• encourage
• ease
• forward
• foster
• advance
• let
• smooth
• cultivate
• allow
• permit
• further
• leave
• unclog
• nurture

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forestall differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and prevent are common synonyms of forestall. While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

When can anticipate be used instead of forestall?

The synonyms anticipate and forestall are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first.

anticipated the question by making a statement

Where would prevent be a reasonable alternative to forestall?

While in some cases nearly identical to forestall, prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of forestall

Moreover, Lippmann insisted that officials in Moscow had genuine security fears and were motivated mostly by a defensive determination to forestall the resurgence of German power. —Fredrik Logevall, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022

The concern was that rather than forestalling wider conflict, the strike could accelerate it. —Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2024

The General Assembly should begin work in earnest in next year’s session on a comprehensive plan to forestall these calamities. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024

Respondents were polled just days after the news broke that Washington had placed its first hold in years on a weapons shipment to Israel to try to forestall an Israeli invasion of Rafah. —Daniel Silverman, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2024