as in preventing
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 forestalling
With the help of TDT-DTECT, AI can help detect strings that appear to have been generated by AI and isolate them earlier in the malware's execution, thereby potentially forestalling adverse consequences before the malware can act.
—
John Burek, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
By some interpretations, the fawner resembles Scheherazade, forestalling death through creative feats that appease the men around her.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Impressive as that is, though, forestalling a hostage situation is not really in her wheelhouse, and Nolan grabs Summerville’s gun, kicking out Elsbeth and Summerville while trapping the store’s staff and one customer.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Those efforts were defensive, aimed at forestalling oversight that might slow growth.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Could see the futility of forestalling the harmful acts of an addict.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
John Burek, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
By some interpretations, the fawner resembles Scheherazade, forestalling death through creative feats that appease the men around her.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Impressive as that is, though, forestalling a hostage situation is not really in her wheelhouse, and Nolan grabs Summerville’s gun, kicking out Elsbeth and Summerville while trapping the store’s staff and one customer.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Those efforts were defensive, aimed at forestalling oversight that might slow growth.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Could see the futility of forestalling the harmful acts of an addict.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalling
Verb
-
But in a complaint filed in federal court Tuesday, the Teamsters alleged the zoo had locked the workers out of the zoo’s computer system, preventing the zookeepers from accessing new medications and refills for the animals in their care.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles; a second dose boosts effectiveness even further — to 97%, according to the CDC.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The attempt went wide right, however, temporarily averting disaster.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Both lawmakers submitted formal resignation letters that were read on the House floor, averting potential expulsion actions by colleagues.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalling. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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