as in averting
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 preventing
The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Awareness over new laws designed for protection and legislation that stops short of holding websites and social media platforms accountable have posed hurdles to preventing the harm.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Some previous objectives laid out by the administration – such as destroying Iran's Navy and missile-building capabilities, as well as preventing it from arming and funding terrorism across the globe – have apparently been at least partially achieved.
—Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
But Congress approved legislation in 2023 aimed at preventing a president from unilaterally moving to leave NATO.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology.
—Matthew Daly, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
There is significant support for at least one of the president’s objectives, which is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
—Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Google recently released new updates so real-time product data is available to users, preventing challenges such as out-of-stocks and pricing errors.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Awareness over new laws designed for protection and legislation that stops short of holding websites and social media platforms accountable have posed hurdles to preventing the harm.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Some previous objectives laid out by the administration – such as destroying Iran's Navy and missile-building capabilities, as well as preventing it from arming and funding terrorism across the globe – have apparently been at least partially achieved.
—Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
But Congress approved legislation in 2023 aimed at preventing a president from unilaterally moving to leave NATO.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology.
—Matthew Daly, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
There is significant support for at least one of the president’s objectives, which is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
—Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Google recently released new updates so real-time product data is available to users, preventing challenges such as out-of-stocks and pricing errors.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventing
Verb
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, which has played a large role in precluding a return.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
-
He was selected for the All-Star Game for the 22nd time in his career despite missing 18 games due to injury, precluding him from consideration for the postseason All-NBA teams.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat’s chances of avoiding the NBA’s play-in tournament are now very slim.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The loss was Orlando’s eighth in the past 10 games as the team continues to trend the opposite direction of avoiding the Play-In Tournament.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
