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

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

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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

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 prevent In Alaska, salmon are one of the main prey sources for belugas—and the fish need cold water to develop their eggs, keep their metabolism stable and prevent energy depletion during long migratory journeys. — Ryan Green, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026 Lula’s campaign had argued that voters in Salvador, the capital of Bahia, and São Paulo were prevented from reaching polling stations after reports of reduced public transportation. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 Vestiaire Collective has always taken a multi-step approach to authenticating luxury goods to prevent counterfeits and fraud. — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 Knowing how everything connects means more time to plan to prevent the worst outcomes. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prevent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent

Verb

Digger, joined by his earnest and exasperated head of environmental safety and security, Nirav Ganesh (Riz Ahmed), heads to Europe to try to avert an unprecedented environmental disaster.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
Jackson averted a suspension ahead of this season when authorities declined to file formal criminal charges after he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

For Russia, the loss of refining capacity has been manageable thus far, but that does not preclude larger problems ahead.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Frankly, anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in Office, let alone the Office of Governor.

— Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of preclude

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“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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