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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevent
However, as is often the case on Florida's Space Coast, bad weather prevented the satellites from launching April 9.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Larson's victory at the Bristol Motor Speedway prevented Hamlin from securing his third consecutive victory this season.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III.
Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
To prevent mold, be cautious when storing homemade bread.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Larson's victory at the Bristol Motor Speedway prevented Hamlin from securing his third consecutive victory this season.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III.
Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
To prevent mold, be cautious when storing homemade bread.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
Verb
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Though a breakup was averted, the Microsoft case established a legal precedent for how the U.S. government could pursue monopolistic tech companies, Weinstein said.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
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If Trump brings his tariffs down enough, investors believe a recession could be averted.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Federal courts have split over whether the law precludes transgender students from participating in sports that match their gender identity.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
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Prior to that time, an ADHD diagnosis would preclude a child from getting an autism diagnosis, even though researchers currently estimate that half or more of autistic people also have ADHD.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Houston threw numbers behind the ball for most of the game to avoid getting hit by the deadly counterattacks and transitions KC has been known for.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
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Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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