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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevent
When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
As the protest officially ended, the demonstrators threw eggs, plastic bottles and other objects at riot police who were preventing the crowd from approaching a downtown park.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
The Plainfield Community Alliance formed and initiated kindness contests and workshops to prevent bullying.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Use clean utensils: Avoid double-dipping to prevent bacteria and cross-contamination.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
As the protest officially ended, the demonstrators threw eggs, plastic bottles and other objects at riot police who were preventing the crowd from approaching a downtown park.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
The Plainfield Community Alliance formed and initiated kindness contests and workshops to prevent bullying.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Use clean utensils: Avoid double-dipping to prevent bacteria and cross-contamination.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
Verb
-
Pakistan has announced its nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with averting a major conflict in South Asia at a time when the U.S. leader is contemplating intervention in the Middle East.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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The day pass announcement comes after state lawmakers last month failed to pass transit reform legislation — or find funding to avert a looming $771 million fiscal cliff — during their spring legislative session.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Verb
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In precluding the former and approving the latter, the Consumers' Research approach does nothing to vindicate the nondelegation doctrine or the separation of powers.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 June 2025
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The Act does not purport to address, much less preclude, district court review in enforcement proceedings.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Each week spent on development and every disaster avoided adds to the company’s financial, reputational and customer support success.—
Sai Sandeep Ogety,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Without an aisle, the box occupants must seat themselves in order from front to back to avoid climbing over one another.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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