as in averted
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stopped
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevented
Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Terms of the settlement prevented Cards Against Humanity from disclosing specifics.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The fact that the NBA cleared Rozier at the time does not mean the league is prevented from punishing him later.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
This powerhouse trio has a staunch policy of not talking to media about their business, but that hasn’t prevented glowing word of their impressive reputation from making the rounds through Hollywood.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Police officers prevented the protesters from getting to the hotel and a water cannon was deployed at the scene, according to reports.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Peña Lopez and Correa Peña also prevented her from leaving the home by confining her to the room previously used for goats and roosters, the Justice Department said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
The ceremony coincided with Danielle Fishel's nuptials to first husband Tim Belusko, which took place one day before and unfortunately prevented Strong's former costars from attending his wedding.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
But beyond the symbols, the science itself is moving quickly—in ways that may reshape how breast cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Surveillance teams outside the museum prevented the suspects from setting their vehicle alight but could not prevent their escape on scooters along the banks of the Seine.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Terms of the settlement prevented Cards Against Humanity from disclosing specifics.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The fact that the NBA cleared Rozier at the time does not mean the league is prevented from punishing him later.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
This powerhouse trio has a staunch policy of not talking to media about their business, but that hasn’t prevented glowing word of their impressive reputation from making the rounds through Hollywood.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Police officers prevented the protesters from getting to the hotel and a water cannon was deployed at the scene, according to reports.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Peña Lopez and Correa Peña also prevented her from leaving the home by confining her to the room previously used for goats and roosters, the Justice Department said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
The ceremony coincided with Danielle Fishel's nuptials to first husband Tim Belusko, which took place one day before and unfortunately prevented Strong's former costars from attending his wedding.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
But beyond the symbols, the science itself is moving quickly—in ways that may reshape how breast cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevented
Verb
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The government has also followed through on Vought’s earlier threat to fire a massive number of civil servants if the shutdown were not averted.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
20 Oct. 2025
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The government’s survival on Thursday averted that outcome, at least for the time being.—
Aurelien Breeden,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In retrospect, the houses should have been protected from redevelopment with a deed covenant, which could have precluded new development on the site.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
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Though Combs’ defense argued that his acquittals on the most serious charges precluded the court from considering the women’s claims of coercion, Judge Arun Subramanian said the women’s claims of violence and exploitation were major factors in the prison sentence of four years and two months.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Too long submerged in suppressed grief, Zilpha now came up from its depth like any swimmer stroking toward light and sweet air.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevented. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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