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 Price and some people living at the encampment believe those protections could prevent the city from carrying out the latest removal effort. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The company also explained the steps it's taken to try and prevent a similar event from happening again, namely by improving its security and containment, monitoring, model behavior and incident response. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Both mirrors are kept cold, chilled to about 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius), to prevent heat from the telescope itself from interfering with observations, according to NASA. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Detecting a developing problem early can therefore be important for keeping the wider system available and preventing a localized fault from becoming a larger operational issue. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prevent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent

Verb

They would have been averted if the two sides reached a trade deal, but Canada's negotiators left Washington empty-handed on Friday evening.

— Kevin Breuninger,Michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Waymos are so much safer than human drivers that deploying them widely could avert countless injuries and deaths every year.

— Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

For instance, in large American cities such as Chicago, significant segments of the Hispanic minority speak only Spanish, which precludes their being recruited by the police.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
As part of his plea deal, Kohberger waived the right to appeal, but that does not preclude him from filing a new case challenging the validity of his agreement.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of preclude

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“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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