Definition of preclude
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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
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While no American is charged in today’s indictment, there is nothing in it about precluding any eventual charges against a US citizen.
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Likewise, elite colleges can stop giving preference to children of alumni, known as legacy applicants, which precludes students from disadvantaged backgrounds to remain competitive in a system that heavily rewards privilege over potential.
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The investigation is ongoing, but that shouldn't preclude Council from asking questions.
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Hurst was flagged with a heart condition at the combine, which precluded his participation.
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There was the window-rattling sonic boom produced by successful flights, which precluded airlines from scheduling overland routes.
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That doesn't preclude Ram, which posted the commercial on social media, from showing the ad online.
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For example, a person who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery would not necessarily be precluded from employment even if originally charged with a felony.
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Requiring a financial return could preclude support for some community assistance, such as homeless shelters or other social services, which do not generate money for investors.
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 yearpreclude Synonyms
Near Antonyms
ease, facilitate, smooth, unclog;
advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote;
Related Words
save;
baffle, balk, checkmate, deter, foil, frustrate, thwart;
bar, block, hamper, hinder, impede, interfere (with), retard, stall;
deflect, fend (off), stop, ward (off);
avoid, circumvent, dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shake, shirk, shun;
compensate (for), counteract, counterbalance, make up (for), offset;
Other Logic Terms
PRECLUDE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of preclude for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
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: to prevent (someone) from doing something
Law Dictionary
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
Learn More about preclude
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See words that rhyme with preclude Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for preclude Spanish Central: Translation of preclude Nglish: Translation of preclude for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of preclude for Arabic speakers
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