as in to avert
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 prevent
So, this cream is a great way to prevent and reduce signs of aging.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
The federal government should immediately withdraw agents from the area, and likely from the Twin Cities altogether, to prevent further provocation.
—Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
The shed can tolerate up to 6 inches of snow, prevents rainwater from pooling, and has engineered air vents that ensure optimal ventilation inside.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Iraq was under the auspices of preventing another attack.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
The federal government should immediately withdraw agents from the area, and likely from the Twin Cities altogether, to prevent further provocation.
—Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
The shed can tolerate up to 6 inches of snow, prevents rainwater from pooling, and has engineered air vents that ensure optimal ventilation inside.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Iraq was under the auspices of preventing another attack.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
Verb
-
Washington — The House easily approved bipartisan legislation Thursday to fund several federal agencies and programs through September as lawmakers work to avert the threat of another government shutdown later this month.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
As Congress works to avert an end-of-January government shutdown, its latest spending package would largely keep the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget intact, reports Liza Gross for Inside Climate News.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That still shouldn’t preclude Mims from becoming a big X-factor during this upcoming playoff run.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, said that the federal prosecution of a man accused of starting the earlier blaze does not preclude the department from discussing its actions surrounding both fires.—
Paul Pringle,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
To avoid this dilemma, my aunt always travels with a portable power bank like this slim option from Anker.—
Stephanie Gray,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Learn how to properly thaw frozen pipes, and how to avoid them in the first place.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share