forestalls

verb

present tense third-person singular of forestall
as in prevents
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

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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 forestalls Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalls
  1. prevents
  2. averts
Verb
  • This layer prevents water, nutrients, and air from reaching the roots.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • This method prevents the stalk from snapping off and offers support both above and below the soil.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026
Definition of prevents
Verb
  • The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues.
    — Shannon McKeen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of averts

Browse Nearby Words

forestallment
forestalls
forester
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forestalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalls. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forestalls

Nglish: Translation of forestalls for Spanish Speakers

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