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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of preventive
Vishal Khetpal, STAT, 10 Mar. 2026
That includes preventive treatments for fleas and ticks and heartworm and vaccinations for parvo, distemper and rabies, says Kohl.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
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
As the Super Bowl approached halftime, Hims & Hers publicly staked its claim to preventive medicine in front of the American people.
—Vishal Khetpal, STAT, 10 Mar. 2026
That includes preventive treatments for fleas and ticks and heartworm and vaccinations for parvo, distemper and rabies, says Kohl.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
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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Other moves like staying well hydrated, keeping skin well moisturised and making regular preventative dental appointments are important, too.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
12 Mar. 2026
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About 175,000 people in San Diego county are believed to have latent tuberculosis and be at risk without preventative treatment.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Until then, Wogan said police are treating the case as a potential homicide investigation out of precaution.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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Take every precaution to never leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, especially in extreme heat when car interiors can quickly become hazardous.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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