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
A dam now in place on the Thai side of the line prevents the railway from being reconstructed in its entirety, he explains.
But we do need to think about it, and refusing to check our privilege prevents us from thinking about it honestly.
Additionally, they highlight a practice by which Hobby Lobby prevents its employees from seeking justice through the courts.
Hobby Lobby Employee Says She Was Fired for Being Pregnant | RH Reality Check | July 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBeginners usually start with a regulated model with a circuit board that prevents draws longer than 10 seconds.
In geopolitics, the doctrine of mutually assured destruction prevents the use of weapons of mass destruction against a foe.
The App Bringing Out The Best/Worst in Washington’s Gays | Scott Bixby | May 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then a nervous, anxious feeling that takes away my appetite, and prevents me from eating my dinner.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayThis mode of learning promotes attention and prevents mind-wandering.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)With nervous children the lobe of the ear is preferable, as it prevents their seeing what is being done.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThis is what makes nomads of the Savages, and prevents them from remaining long in one place.
The cock springs out of its seat when water gets into the cylinder, and prevents any mischief from the velocity of the fly-wheel.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
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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