preclude

verb pre·clude \ pri-ˈklüd \

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 \-ˈklü-zhən\ noun

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preclusive

play \-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

Patterson and other critics say the lack of transparency in the process and inefficiencies that precluded significant competition led to final budgets that bore little resemblance to the original ones.

— joe heim, Washington Post, "D.C.’s vaunted high school for the arts reopens — $100 million over budget," 16 Aug. 2017
In court, case prosecutor Michael O’Sullivan sought to question Lachelier about the unspecified conflict that precluded her from representing Qosi.

— carol rosenberg, miamiherald, "First war court hearing on U.S. soil stops before it even gets started," 12 July 2017
That precluded them from crafting a more expansive definition.

— chicagotribune.com, "Senate GOP effort to shield disabled from Medicaid changes would leave many kids on the outside," 9 July 2017
That precluded them from crafting a more expansive definition.

— Washington Post, "Senate GOP effort to shield disabled from Medicaid changes would leave many kids on the outside," 9 July 2017
However, fuzzy boundaries do not preclude identifiable clusterings; to insist otherwise is anti-empirical and unscientific.

— john mcwhorter, National Review, "Stop Obsessing Over Race and IQ," 5 July 2017
On the one hand, none of this necessarily precludes an eventual merger with T-Mobile or takeover by either Charter or Comcast later on.

— tara lachapelle, The Seattle Times, "Commentary: Sprint’s bowing to the cable guys, as it puts T-Mobile deal on hold, looks shortsighted," 2 July 2017
But state statute seems to preclude the prosecution from making a change of venue request.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Amid rape allegations in Holton, Kan., alleged victims vilified in town find support," 28 June 2017
The SEC imposed additional penalties to preclude the coach from off-campus recruiting for 16 days and prohibited the entire staff from having in-person contact with the recruit involved for 30 days.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "Tickets for 'Last Chance U' star among UK's self-reported NCAA rules violations," 19 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

preclude Synonyms

Synonyms

avert, forestall, head off, help, obviate, prevent, stave off

Related Words

anticipate, provide; negate, neutralize, nullify; 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; forbid, inhibit, prohibit; arrest, check, halt, stop; compensate (for), counteract, counterbalance, make up (for), offset

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist; ease, facilitate, smooth, unclog; advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote; allow, leave, let, permit

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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