prevent
to keep from occurring; avert; hinder: He intervened to prevent bloodshed.
to hinder or stop from doing something: There is nothing to prevent us from going.
Archaic. to act ahead of; forestall.
Archaic. to precede.
Archaic. to anticipate.
to interpose a hindrance: He will come if nothing prevents.
Origin of prevent
1synonym study For prevent
Other words for prevent
Opposites for prevent
Other words from prevent
- pre·vent·a·ble, pre·vent·i·ble, adjective
- pre·vent·a·bil·ty, noun
- pre·vent·ing·ly, adverb
- non·pre·vent·a·ble, adjective
- non·pre·vent·i·ble, adjective
- qua·si-pre·vent·ed, adjective
- un·pre·vent·a·ble, adjective
- un·pre·vent·ed, adjective
- un·pre·vent·i·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use prevent in a sentence
Sticking RNA-based vaccines in the blast freezer prevents such enzymes from tearing apart the RNA and rendering the vaccine inert.
Here’s why COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer’s need to be kept so cold | Tina Hesman Saey | November 20, 2020 | Science NewsPublic health experts are raising alarms about a study that some conservatives claim reveals that masks are ineffective at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Inconclusive results, missing data: Experts push back on a study questioning the efficacy of masks | Meryl Kornfield | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThe number of new cases had decreased over the weekend, Rooks said, but the number grew again early this week, which prevented the Terps from returning to practice.
Maryland football is ‘committed to getting back,’ but timeline for return is unclear | Emily Giambalvo | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThe lawsuit is a last-ditch effort to prevent her own deportation.
Unlike traditional computers, which allow software to be downloaded from websites, iPhones are locked down to prevent that installation method.
Apple cuts some App Store fees, but critics call it a ploy to avoid regulation | Reed Albergotti | November 18, 2020 | Washington Post
Infectious diseases are (a) infectious and (b) preventable with a simple shot.
D.C. Moron Phil Gingrey Spread Ebola Fever Over Immigrants | Kent Sepkowitz | July 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTragically, as we deliberate, another day of preventable carnage will come and go.
Currently, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses are limited in scope.
Twisted Anti-Vaxxer Parents Choose Fatal Diseases Over Autism | Elizabeth Picciuto | July 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOverdose deaths have now become the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control ranks the potentially preventable deaths across all 50 states.
One of These 5 Things Will Probably Kill You | Abby Haglage, Brandy Zadrozny | May 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMuch of the damage is preventable through properly constructed boxes.
Our National Forests | Richard H. Douai BoerkerSymptoms unfavourable, and ultimate collapse preventable only by speedy change of scene.
Flaming June | Mrs. George de Horne VaizeyBut the black fogs of London are mist soaked with preventable coal smoke; their evils have been recognised from the first.
Impressions And Comments | Havelock EllisHence, from various preventable causes, the vast numbers of young unmarried women crowding public places of resort.
Imperfect lighting of rooms in which children study or play is one of the chief among these preventable causes.
The Physical Life of Woman: | Dr. George H Napheys
British Dictionary definitions for prevent
/ (prɪˈvɛnt) /
(tr) to keep from happening, esp by taking precautionary action
(tr often foll by from) to keep (someone from doing something); hinder; impede
(intr) to interpose or act as a hindrance
(tr) archaic to anticipate or precede
Origin of prevent
1Derived forms of prevent
- preventable or preventible, adjective
- preventability or preventibility, noun
- preventably or preventibly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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