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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Recent Examples of prevent
As usual, handling the environment and dimensions of Dodger Stadium will be key, from catchers preventing balls in the dirt from going to the backstop to outfielders making catches in the sun.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Sanders signed legislation last month that prevents drug middlemen from owning pharmacies in Arkansas.
—Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
Toppin was stuck behind Julius Randle on the Knicks’ bench, and his defensive and rebounding shortcomings prevented him from earning a larger role in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Megan had filed a restraining order against Lanez in December 2024 asking that the Los Angeles Superior Court judge prevent Lanez from allegedly harassing Megan from prison through third parties during his10-year jail sentence.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Sanders signed legislation last month that prevents drug middlemen from owning pharmacies in Arkansas.
—Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
Toppin was stuck behind Julius Randle on the Knicks’ bench, and his defensive and rebounding shortcomings prevented him from earning a larger role in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Megan had filed a restraining order against Lanez in December 2024 asking that the Los Angeles Superior Court judge prevent Lanez from allegedly harassing Megan from prison through third parties during his10-year jail sentence.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
Verb
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Murphy expressed particular alarm over his party’s tactics after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) opted to avert a government shutdown this spring.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2025
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The city plans to avert further layoffs by transferring employees to the proprietary departments, like the harbor, the airport and perhaps the Department of Water & Power.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The nation also operates on a different system that precludes simply copying and pasting Germany’s rules.—
Akielly Hu,
Wired News,
3 May 2025
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The plaintiffs raise a familiar legal argument: The NCAA and its member institutions violated antitrust law by agreeing to rules that precluded their chance to earn NIL deals and allowed the NCAA to use their NIL.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Steer clear of windows and avoid large open spaces like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
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Inside and outside the organization, the prevailing belief was that the Celtics would need to undergo significant changes this offseason to avoid such an enormous salary bill.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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