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

If Trump loses the election in just a couple of weeks, some of the Constitutional Sheriffs are prepared to take drastic action and some see forestalling his defeat as their duty. —Leah Feiger, WIRED, 24 Oct. 2024

Well, because there was an organization called True the Vote that did so, and they were not smacked down, but they were forestalled from being as aggressive. —Leah Feiger, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024

One such investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department, which threatened retroactive tariffs on solar imports of up to 250 percent, threw American solar buyers into turmoil, and in June 2022, President Joe Biden was forced to issue an executive order forestalling any tariffs for the next two years. —Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023

These days biologists are examining tracks for many purposes, from forestalling wildlife conflicts to averting roadkill. —Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024