forestall

verb

fore·​stall fȯr-ˈstȯl How to pronounce forestall (audio)
forestalled; forestalling; forestalls

transitive verb

1
: to exclude, hinder, or prevent (something) by prior occupation or measures
Negotiations failed to forestall the conflict.
2
: to get ahead of (something) : anticipate
detailed explanations intended to forestall questions
3
: to prevent the normal trading in (something) by buying or diverting goods or by persuading people to raise prices
forestalling the wheat harvest and selling it at three times its cost …George Bernard Shaw
4
archaic : intercept
… he sprang like a cat to the top of the cabin and ran aft. But his pursuers forestalling him, he doubled back across the cabin …Jack London
5
obsolete : obstruct, beset
forestaller noun
forestallment noun
Choose the Right Synonym for forestall

prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand.

prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

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

forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

Examples of forestall in a Sentence

Negotiations failed to forestall the conflict. His comments were meant to forestall criticism of his proposal. He forestalled critics by offering a defense of the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Zoom in: There's been other evidence supporting the idea of a concerted campaign to forestall the industry along the way. Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 That presumably will forestall Mr. Trump’s Justice Department from going after Hunter Biden on any allegations that did not merit charges by the prosecutor who has investigated him since Mr. Trump’s first term. Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Crystal says that created confusion for the public and forestalled action. Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Dec. 2024 Democratic lawmakers in the Texas House fled to Washington that year in hopes of preventing a quorum and forestalling the bill's passage. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forestall 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from forstall act of waylaying, from Old English foresteall, from fore- + steall position, stall

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of forestall was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near forestall

Cite this Entry

“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forestall. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

forestall

verb
fore·​stall fōr-ˈstȯl How to pronounce forestall (audio)
fȯr-
: to keep out, interfere with, or prevent by steps taken in advance
forestaller noun
forestallment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on forestall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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