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
But the organization still hopes to forestall the demolitions.
—
Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s what Republicans are doing despite growing evidence their policies are unpopular with the voters, presumably hoping that redrawing congressional district lines in a handful of red states will forestall any possible 2026 blue wave.
—Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Those efforts were defensive, aimed at forestalling oversight that might slow growth.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Israel could also accept the latest ceasefire proposal, which would forestall the offensive.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s what Republicans are doing despite growing evidence their policies are unpopular with the voters, presumably hoping that redrawing congressional district lines in a handful of red states will forestall any possible 2026 blue wave.
—Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Those efforts were defensive, aimed at forestalling oversight that might slow growth.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Israel could also accept the latest ceasefire proposal, which would forestall the offensive.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
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According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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What was meant to prevent violence ended up turning an ordinary moment into a frightening encounter with armed officers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Broadway musicians have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting the possibility of a strike.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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The government has also followed through on Vought’s earlier threat to fire a massive number of civil servants if the shutdown were not averted.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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