forestalls

verb

present tense third-person singular of forestall
as in prevents
to keep from happening by taking action in advance you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 forestalls Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalls
  1. prevents
  2. averts
Verb
  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents regulated entities, such as hospitals, from disclosing identifiable private information to third parties under most circumstances, unless the patient agrees.
    — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Strategic stillness strengthens emotional intelligence, reduces fatigue, and prevents burnout.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of prevents
Verb
  • The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues.
    — Shannon McKeen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of averts

Browse Nearby Words

forestallment
forestalls
forester
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Cite this Entry

“Forestalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalls. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forestalls

Nglish: Translation of forestalls for Spanish Speakers

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