preclude

verb pre·clude \ pri-ˈklüd \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: preclude in a Sentence

Editor's Note: preclude Uses Within and Outside Law

Definition of preclude

precluded; precluding

transitive verb

1 archaic : close

2 : to make impossible by necessary consequence : rule out in advance

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preclusion

play \pri-ˈklü-zhən\ noun

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preclusive

play \pri-ˈklü-siv, -ziv\ adjective

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preclusively

adverb

See preclude defined for English-language learners

See preclude defined for kids

Examples of preclude in a Sentence

I fear these things, but vaguely, for my brain buzzes in the merciful wash of endorphins that preclude any thought from occupying it too long. —Louise Erdrich, Harper's, May 1993
… the institution [of slavery] in the United States was almost uniquely despotic, a closed system so powerful and totalitarian that organized insurrection was almost entirely precluded … —William Styron, American Heritage, October 1992
But conceptual blinders can preclude observation, while most accurate generalities guarantee no proper resolution of specific anatomies, but can certainly guide perceptions along fruitful paths. —Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
… the same profusion of water that precluded overland travel in the summer months could, during the sledgehammer freeze of winter, be utilized as a natural highway—albeit a highway of ice. —Jon Krakauer, Smithsonian, November 1987
She suffered an injury that precluded the possibility of an athletic career.
Bad weather precluded any further attempts to reach the summit.

Recent Examples of preclude from the Web

There are those who would argue that a journalistic platform should not be in the business of making any kind of moral call: The idea is that objectivity, whatever that is these days, precludes it.

— david zurawik, baltimoresun.com, "MSNBC brings moral authority to cruel Trump immigration actions," 15 June 2018
Several alternative candidates like former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda and NBC Sports commentator Kyle Martino ran, but egos precluded them from forming a unified opposition front.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What's changed since U.S. failed to qualify for 2018 World Cup? Sadly, nothing," 11 June 2018
However, a desire to keep some changes from going public might preclude that level of transparency.

— sean o'kane, The Verge, "Tesla can change so much with over-the-air updates that it’s messing with some owners’ heads," 2 June 2018
Nothing in state or federal law precludes insurers from offering benefits that are not spelled out in a state's Essential Health Benefits.

— CNN, "To be herself, she needs to change her body. But first, comes the battle with insurers," 31 May 2018
Unlike the pretext forbidding Rubin’s rightful claim, Bell is thankfully still alive and continues to rack up awards, though none as prestigious as the Nobel (even though nothing in the Nobel statutes precludes her from winning one).

— brian keating, WIRED, "There's Nothing Noble about Science’s Nobel Prize Gender Gap," 27 May 2018
This could preclude Mueller from releasing key materials without breaking multiple federal laws.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Robert Mueller’s Nuclear Option," 11 Apr. 2018
The open investigation precludes us from making a comment at this time.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Ex-Boca Raton High swim coach under investigation, won't return to teach in fall," 4 June 2018
That's right: Sanders is going to run in the Democratic primary for no reason except to preclude anybody else from winning it — despite having no intention of running as a Democrat in the general election.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "Bernie Sanders is still borrowing the Democratic Party," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preclude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

preclude Uses Within and Outside Law

Preclude is often used in legal writing, where it usually refers to making something legally impossible. A new law may be passed by Congress to preclude any suits of a certain kind against a federal agency, for example. Some judges have found that the warnings on cigarette packs preclude any suits against the tobacco companies by lung-cancer sufferers. But there are plenty of nonlegal uses as well. Bad weather often precludes trips to the beach, and a lack of cash might preclude any beach vacation at all.

Origin and Etymology of preclude

Latin praecludere, from prae- + claudere to close — more at close

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1513

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

preclude Synonyms

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

PRECLUDE Defined for English Language Learners

preclude

verb

Definition of preclude for English Language Learners

: to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
: to prevent (someone) from doing something

Law Dictionary

preclude

transitive verb pre·clude \ pri-ˈklüd \

legal Definition of preclude

precluded; precluding

: to prevent or exclude by necessary consequence: as

a : to prevent (a party) from litigating an action or claim especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata

they are precluded only because they failed to assert…the grounds for recovery they now assert
—Roach v. Teamsters Local Union No. 688, 595 F.2d 446 (1979)

b : to prevent (a claim or action) from being litigated especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata

the Civil Service Reform Act provides the exclusive address for adverse federal employment actions and thus precludes claims brought under the Tort Claims Act
—National Law Journal

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