as in preventative
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
if you start taking this preventive medicine now, you may not get sick after all
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury
if people took the simple preventive of frequently washing their hands, the spread of germs could be greatly reduced
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Recent Examples of preventive
IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2025
Although medical advancements are helping patients with heart disease live longer, Cheema looks forward to more progress in preventive care to avoid that first heart attack − or five.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
In the end, however, experts say there is only one true preventive — or cure — for a hangover: Don’t drink.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 30 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for preventive
Adjective
If the score crosses a certain threshold, the bank might take preventive action.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2025
Although medical advancements are helping patients with heart disease live longer, Cheema looks forward to more progress in preventive care to avoid that first heart attack − or five.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Finding and treating the stomach infection Helicobacter pylori can also be considered as a preventive for people who are about to start a course on NSAIDs.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
In the end, however, experts say there is only one true preventive — or cure — for a hangover: Don’t drink.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 30 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for preventive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventive
Adjective
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But Williams has put some preventative measures in place ahead of the tour presale to ensure that those who share this experience are in the minority, rather than part of a larger collective of fans being exploited by scalpers and bots.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
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Mamdani’s policy ideas include aggressive measures to stabilize housing costs for millions of New Yorkers, free public transportation, child care and a preventative policy approach toward crime that builds social cohesion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many others show clear signs of precautions against the danger involved in missile production – buildings are surrounded by tall dirt and concrete berms, a safety measure against the risk of explosions.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Department of Transportation is implementing the cuts as a precaution due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has required air traffic controllers to work without pay for more than a month.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventive. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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