prevented; preventing; prevents
1
: to keep from happening or existing
steps to prevent war
3
: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding
4
archaic
a
: to be in readiness for (something, such as an occasion)
b
: to meet or satisfy in advance
c
: to act ahead of
d
: to go or arrive before
: to interpose an obstacle
preventer
noun
Examples of prevent in a Sentence
Seatbelts in cars often prevent serious injuries.
Can exercise and a healthy diet prevent heart disease?
The accident could have been prevented.
He grabbed my arm to prevent me from falling.
Bad weather prevented us from leaving.
How are you going to prevent him from finding out about the party?
Recent Examples on the Web
An appeals court also reversed a ruling from a judge in Chicago that barred federal agents from using certain riot control weapons, including tear gas and pepper balls, unless needed to prevent an immediate threat.
—
Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
This combination of road salt and brine helps to prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, keeping roads from getting too slick and causing car accidents.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
An additional $20 million for body cameras was included in the bipartisan federal funding package that was approved by the Senate late last week ahead of a deadline to prevent a government shutdown.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Plus the formula is fast-drying, to prevent flaking and smudging, with a small fiber brush that coats each lash while keeping clumping at bay.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
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Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
This combination of road salt and brine helps to prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, keeping roads from getting too slick and causing car accidents.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
An additional $20 million for body cameras was included in the bipartisan federal funding package that was approved by the Senate late last week ahead of a deadline to prevent a government shutdown.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Plus the formula is fast-drying, to prevent flaking and smudging, with a small fiber brush that coats each lash while keeping clumping at bay.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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