preventive 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈven-tiv How to pronounce preventive (audio)
Definition of preventivenext
as in preventative
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening if you start taking this preventive medicine now, you may not get sick after all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preventive

2 of 2

noun

as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury if people took the simple preventive of frequently washing their hands, the spread of germs could be greatly reduced

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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 preventive
Adjective
Unlike mammograms, breast MRIs aren’t universally covered as zero-cost preventive care. — Lauren Sausser, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026 Invivyd, a biopharmaceutical company, began developing a treatment and post-exposure preventive medicine for measles in 2025. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives. — Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023 But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for preventive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventive
  1. preventative
  2. precaution
Adjective
  • Kaliush says laying out a plan to get enough sleep before the baby comes is an enormously helpful preventative step.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Many health systems have started to adopt social prescribing not only as a complement to medical treatment, but as a preventative approach to reduce the need for more intensive care.
    — Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of preventative
Noun
  • Take these precautions during water activities Swimmers, particularly those in southern states and warm coastal waters, should expect a minimal risk of contracting a pathogen in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, brackish waters and hot springs.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the reopening on Monday morning, and her administration outlined precautions to beat back the outbreak.
    — Abraham Tellez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of precaution

Browse Nearby Words

prevention
preventive
preventives
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Cite this Entry

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

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