preventing

verb

present participle of prevent
as in averting
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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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 preventing Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 Events unfold over one evening as a hurricane rolls in, blocking communication from the outside world and preventing reinforcements from arriving. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 The pope’s physician, Luigi Carbone, said there’s no medical reason preventing Leo’s trip to South America, which involves a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Its solution is to provide a means of protecting the craft while also preventing the generation of even more junk. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 French authorities are intent on preventing a repeat of recent violent unrest. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 However, keeping the materials stable and preventing contaminant leakage over years of operation remains a challenge. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026 Protein helps slow digestion, preventing post-meal blood sugar spikes. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 23 Oct. 2026 This year was no different, except the stakes were simply about preventing their respective seasons from getting any worse. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventing
  1. averting
  2. precluding
  3. avoiding
Verb
  • While people in Israel are praising the passengers and the captain as heroes for averting disaster, a broader debate is emerging over government failures that allowed something like this to happen, Lonsdorf says.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot hailed for averting a catastrophe on a FlyDubai flight, described Spice Jet incorrectly.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of averting
Verb
  • State attorneys argued Tuesday that the federal government has no authority over California elections and seeks to violate federal law precluding voter roll purges in the 90 days before an election.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Califia has previously been detained for drug possession but was also released before her arraignment, precluding the possibility of diversion court.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of precluding
Verb
  • Kushner so far has participated little in the ceremony of the job, avoiding most receptions and ribbon cuttings.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Exercise, avoiding alcohol or even getting enough sleep aren’t the factors most connected to college students’ well-being.
    — Roxanne Prichard, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of avoiding

Browse Nearby Words

prevented
preventing
prevention
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Cite this Entry

“Preventing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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