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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preventive
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Many preventive heart specialists believe traditional testing can underestimate risk in women.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 Feb. 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
But there are fascinating studies showing that time of day affects care—patients who are seen early are more likely to have preventive care reminders discussed than [those who are seen] late in the day, when doctors are tired.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Many preventive heart specialists believe traditional testing can underestimate risk in women.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 Feb. 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
-
The mayor has said the prospective city agency should emphasize sending social workers instead of cops to the scene of a mental health crisis, and would strengthen other crisis and preventative services.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The evening featured a panel on preventative care moderated by TIME executive editor Nikhil Kumar and ended with a round of toasts from three honorees, who spoke about the importance of long-term funding for health, reinterpreting the story around aging, and altruism to help those in medical need.—
Charlotte Hu,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rivera said in a statement posted to social media that anyone who chooses to venture into backcountry areas should take safety precautions, and consider not going at all in heightened conditions.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As a safety precaution, police say purchasers should ask to see the property under consideration before giving money in return.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventive. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
