as in preventive
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
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as in insurance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preventative
Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 1 Apr. 2026
By this logic, emergency rooms are sunk costs and preventative care is a frivolous indulgence.
—Andrew Behar, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The only preventative right now is treating healthy ash trees with systemic insecticides.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Adjective
An entity of the tribes’ choosing could negotiate costs with off-reservation providers and coordinate care — including preventative care or incentives for healthy habits — for tribal members who seek care on or off tribal land.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 1 Apr. 2026
By this logic, emergency rooms are sunk costs and preventative care is a frivolous indulgence.
—Andrew Behar, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
Consider using flea and tick preventatives and examine your dog after your hike.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The only preventative right now is treating healthy ash trees with systemic insecticides.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventative
Adjective
-
The liberal Jewish organization J Street deplored Iran’s behavior, but emphasized there was no imminent threat to justify a preventive assault.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, many falls can be avoided with preventive interventions by physical therapists.—
Brian Frost,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By the 1970s and 1980s, landlords were burning apartment buildings to collect insurance money instead of investing in repairs, leaving low-income, mostly Puerto Rican and Black families without socioeconomic opportunity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
-
California’s insurance commissioner may be the state’s most unenviable political job.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police urge precautions as temperatures rise As temperatures rise, police are urging families to take precautions.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Nate, an internal medicine doctor, ran the Fargo race alongside his wife as a precaution.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventative. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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