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
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
After speculation about the princess's whereabouts dominated the news cycle for all of February and March of 2024, Middleton shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
—Christopher Luu, InStyle, 16 Mar. 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
Kristin Woelfel, coauthor of the survey, says schools shouldn’t have to experience an incident first-hand before taking preventative actions.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
After speculation about the princess's whereabouts dominated the news cycle for all of February and March of 2024, Middleton shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
—Christopher Luu, InStyle, 16 Mar. 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
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This and other actions in response to threats of violence against community association directors and staff indicate potential dangers and preventive measures for communities across the country.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Social Security payment amounts are set to shrink unless Congress takes preventive action.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The insurance law expert predicted more defensive default settings, stricter age verification, more stringent parental controls and new alerts to nudge users off the platforms will all flow from the courtroom.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
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Neto’s first homer of the season gave the Angels some insurance in the top of the ninth, and then Jordan Romano closed it out.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventative. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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