as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly
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Recent Examples of forestall
Given the abandonment of policy that might forestall more severe events like the Texas floods by reducing the emissions that cause them, Americans are left to the daunting task of adapting.
—
Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 9 July 2025
Perhaps more damning, the film features interviews with a number of observers who maintain Netanyahu has extended the war in Gaza for over a year and invaded Lebanon to forestall a prosecution that threatens his political career.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
The same could be said of his recent predecessors: Pope John Paul II, who met with or wrote to half a dozen world leaders and activists in 2003 in an effort to forestall the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and Pope Benedict, who spoke against the war then in progress in 2006.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
But even better, omalizumab can forestall allergic reactions at the source.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 9 July 2025
Perhaps more damning, the film features interviews with a number of observers who maintain Netanyahu has extended the war in Gaza for over a year and invaded Lebanon to forestall a prosecution that threatens his political career.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
The same could be said of his recent predecessors: Pope John Paul II, who met with or wrote to half a dozen world leaders and activists in 2003 in an effort to forestall the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and Pope Benedict, who spoke against the war then in progress in 2006.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
But even better, omalizumab can forestall allergic reactions at the source.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
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Texas Democrats have fled the state to prevent the legislature from proceeding and Texas Republicans have issued warrants for their arrest.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
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Regularly wiping down cabinets will help prevent grease from creating a sticky buildup on your cabinets.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Williams begins by claiming that there was a brief golden period when Americans might have joined together to avert the disaster of identity politics.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
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To focus on banks allegedly turning away business for political reasons, or closing accounts similarly for reasons of politics, is for pundits, politicians and even presidents to avert their gaze from the real problem: regulators.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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