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
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Recent Examples of forestall
Then again, Lamm is not one to forestall the future.
—
Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
This move might forestall that.
—Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But the pause may not be enough to forestall calls for removal in Congress, where dozens of Democrats — and a few Republicans — condemned Trump on Tuesday.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
For decades, Chicago mayors have fought uphill battles in the statehouse, but the efforts by some Democratic lawmakers to forestall Johnson are unusual.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
This move might forestall that.
—Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But the pause may not be enough to forestall calls for removal in Congress, where dozens of Democrats — and a few Republicans — condemned Trump on Tuesday.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
For decades, Chicago mayors have fought uphill battles in the statehouse, but the efforts by some Democratic lawmakers to forestall Johnson are unusual.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
-
To prevent renewal, cancel your membership through your Account Page.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
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The bill, shared first with CNN, would codify NOAA’s aircraft reconnaissance and research role into law, which could help prevent those responsibilities from being transferred to another agency, like the US Air Force.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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This work, backed by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, aims to elevate early childhood development to a global priority, emphasizing that preventing the loss of vital connections in youth can avert the need for healing later in life.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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