Synonyms of preventive

preventive 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈven-tiv 

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

• preventative
• prophylactic
• precautionary
• deterring
• blocking
• deterrent
• neutralizing
• frustrating
• nullifying
• negating
• baffling
• retardant
• hampering
• thwarting
• hindering
• impeding
• foiling
• balking
• stalling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisting
• aiding
• facilitating
• smoothing
• promoting
• nurturing
• encouraging
• abetting
• fostering
• forwarding
• easing
• furthering

preventive

2 of 2

noun

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

• precaution
• safeguard
• protection
• palladium
• fail-safe
• caution
• shield
• wall
• screen
• armor
• ward
• cover
• guard

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preventive

Adjective

Breed can affect a cat’s longevity, but weight, preventive care and lifestyle may matter more. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Shifting resources toward preventive and community-based care can improve health outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment and better management of chronic diseases. — Runchana Pongsaparn, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Noun

Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives. — Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023

But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023