forestall

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forestall differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and prevent are common synonyms of forestall. While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

When can anticipate be used instead of forestall?

The synonyms anticipate and forestall are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first.

anticipated the question by making a statement

Where would prevent be a reasonable alternative to forestall?

While in some cases nearly identical to forestall, prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forestall Yet even with these challenges, Ukraine has more than proved its ability to forestall major Russian advances, in part through its embrace and refinement of new warfighting methods. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025 Sure enough, Weaver and company show up on cue, guns blazing, to forestall what is certain to be one heck of a DOGE budget cut. Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 Jokes are safer, forestalling opinion—and thereby contention—by forgoing one. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 Choosing to take fewer students forestalls or even ends the careers of future scientists. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
  • Perhaps more important, though, is doing your best to prevent those flares in the first place.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Some states, such as California, New Jersey and Illinois, have sanctuary laws that prevent local jurisdictions from signing 287(g) agreements.
    Julia Ingram, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Though a breakup was averted, the Microsoft case established a legal precedent for how the U.S. government could pursue monopolistic tech companies, Weinstein said.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • If Trump brings his tariffs down enough, investors believe a recession could be averted.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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