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
Planting a ring of garlic companion plants around a fruit tree can inhibit these pests and may also prevent fungal issues from cropping up in your trees.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
As a member of the banking committee, Tillis can prevent Warsh from being approved by the panel and having his nomination sent to the Senate floor for a full vote of the chamber.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
In the hot box next to the cashier, where food needs to be kept at or above 135 degrees to prevent bacteria growth, cheese tequeños, cheese and jalapeño tequeños, guava and cheese pastelitos, cheese pastelitos and cheese cachitos measured from 114 to 125 degrees.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
At one point during the nearly three-hour discussion, Trustee Adam Sidoti inquired if the ordinance before the Village Board could be amended to put restrictions on certain truck sizes and weights in order prevent large, heavy vehicles from using Sanders Road to access the property.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
As a member of the banking committee, Tillis can prevent Warsh from being approved by the panel and having his nomination sent to the Senate floor for a full vote of the chamber.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
In the hot box next to the cashier, where food needs to be kept at or above 135 degrees to prevent bacteria growth, cheese tequeños, cheese and jalapeño tequeños, guava and cheese pastelitos, cheese pastelitos and cheese cachitos measured from 114 to 125 degrees.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
At one point during the nearly three-hour discussion, Trustee Adam Sidoti inquired if the ordinance before the Village Board could be amended to put restrictions on certain truck sizes and weights in order prevent large, heavy vehicles from using Sanders Road to access the property.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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