as in prophylactic
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 preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preventative
Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This essential mental refreshment is a powerful preventative against burnout and directly injects new vitality into your creative process.
—Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That audit found that while best practices suggest government agencies should spend 30% of facilities maintenance money on repairs and 70% on preventative maintenance projects, San Diego spends 87% of its facilities maintenance money on repairs and only 13% on preventative maintenance.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Adjective
Evans called those measures reactive instead of preventative.
—Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This essential mental refreshment is a powerful preventative against burnout and directly injects new vitality into your creative process.
—Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Noun
The brand’s eye-specific product packs a punch courtesy of antioxidants, fine line–erasing peptides, and Persian silk tree extract (the latter is both a preventative and curative measure against dark circles and puffiness).
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That audit found that while best practices suggest government agencies should spend 30% of facilities maintenance money on repairs and 70% on preventative maintenance projects, San Diego spends 87% of its facilities maintenance money on repairs and only 13% on preventative maintenance.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventative
Adjective
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Elizabeth Finley, interim executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, says part of the problem is that pregnant people’s access to health care or preventive syphilis care may vary.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Of all the factors studied relating to Alzheimer’s, exercise stands out as the superior preventive method.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Repairs so far have come through a patchwork of sources — loans taken out by homeowners, insurance reimbursements where coverage existed, and FEMA aid.—
Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Sep. 2025
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Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
No one else was injured, and the actor was cleared shortly after receiving treatment, but in the wake of Holland's concussion, the movie has halted production as a precaution.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Always read directions and take precautions when using these herbicides.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventative. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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