PREVENT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'prevent' differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and forestall are common synonyms of prevent . While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable. // measures taken to prevent leaks

Q: When can 'anticipate' be used instead of 'prevent'?

The synonyms anticipate and prevent 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

Q: When is 'forestall' a more appropriate choice than 'prevent'?

The words forestall and prevent can be used in similar contexts, but forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course. // hoped to forestall the sale

prevent

verb

pri-ˈvent

Definition of prevent next

as in to avert

to keep from happening by taking action in advance a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better

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How does the verb prevent differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and forestall are common synonyms of prevent. While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

When can anticipate be used instead of prevent?

The synonyms anticipate and prevent 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

When is forestall a more appropriate choice than prevent?

The words forestall and prevent can be used in similar contexts, but forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of prevent How can bird flu be prevented in humans? Being exposed to sick or dead infected animals is the main way to get bird flu, according to the CDC. —

Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024 The new law doesn't prevent teachers from outing students to their parents if they're not coerced. —

Acacia Squires, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024 This prevented them from reaching healthy resolutions, leading to an on and off dynamic for many years. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 In 1995, Carter negotiated a two-month cease-fire in Sudan to allow health care workers there to more safely help eradicate Guinea worm disease, prevent river blindness, and vaccinate children against polio. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prevent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent

Verb

Trump and Vance's last-minute intervention forces Johnson to balance appeasing the president-elect and his allies while renegotiating the bipartisan spending plan and averting a shutdown within days.

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
As such, and with plenty of time left before the threat becomes a reality, there’s every chance that the worst-case scenario can be averted.

Nimrod Lehavi, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024