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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Harris’ legal team is working to make sure that all eligible votes are counted and that election officials with political motivations don’t try to prevent or delay certification of the outcome. —

Brian Bennett, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024 These advanced firewalls help prevent prompt injections, jailbreak attempts and phishing attacks. —

Rehan Jalil, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The Hamilton County Democratic Party has filed a complaint with their county election board over an issue that prevented some polling sites from opening on time Tuesday morning. —

Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024 On Tuesday, Harris is scheduled to speak at the Ellipse in Washington, the site where Trump exhorted a crowd of supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, to march on the Capitol in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s victory. —

David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prevent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent

Verb

One juror frequently averted his eyes from the screen as a video from April 12, 2023 was shown.

Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
However, unlike other social media platforms, in the last year Twitch has largely averted controversies involving Israel and Gaza.

Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024