as in prevented
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 forestalled
According to The New York Times, the comments could even have forestalled American strikes on Iran.
—
Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
That threat is now forestalled, but for how long?
—Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the recent wobble has forestalled such a scenario.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
Many scientists including Barzilai think that the aging process can be modified and that, by doing so, diseases can be forestalled and people can stay healthier for longer.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Giants forestalled the question of whether to keep Melvin at the helm with their impressive run in late August and early September, and that Los Angeles Dodgers series answered it.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
That threat is now forestalled, but for how long?
—Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the recent wobble has forestalled such a scenario.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
Many scientists including Barzilai think that the aging process can be modified and that, by doing so, diseases can be forestalled and people can stay healthier for longer.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Giants forestalled the question of whether to keep Melvin at the helm with their impressive run in late August and early September, and that Los Angeles Dodgers series answered it.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalled
Verb
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Firearm safety activists say the shootings could have been prevented by following Michigan's safe storage law.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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However, the contract included non-disparagement and binding arbitration clauses which would have prevented the siblings from going to the police with their allegations or suing the Jackson estate in open court.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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San Diego Unified School District recently averted a one-day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with its teachers.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestalled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalled. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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