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 And Netanyahu’s aides believe US President Donald Trump will be more supportive of large-scale Israeli military action than former President Joe Biden, who suspended the transfer of certain weapons in order to forestall a major Israeli offensive into the heavily populated southern part of Gaza. Mick Krever, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025 Creative power can be dammed up or forestalled by everyday life, ordinary life, life in the squirrel cage. Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2025 No one knows, and that void is forestalling any attempt to have a meaningful conversation about the future of the party. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 But the greatest advantage that resilience confers is in helping countries forestall crises in the first place. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
  • The volume of the baggy jean demands direction, and a brown boot can provide a visual anchor that prevents the outfit from totally overflowing.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 29 June 2025
  • This prevents environmental waste while revivifying the rhythms, lyricism, and human emotions of Korean musical heritage.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Thanks to their collective efforts, well over one million child deaths were averted.
    Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • In November, the city transit system averted a strike when the parties agreed to a one-year contract with 5% raises.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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