PREVENTS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

prevents

verb

present tense third-person singular of prevent

as in averts

to keep from happening by taking action in advance a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prevents Additional fencing went up in January around Lafayette Square, which remains under construction, and prevents access from the north. —

Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 That invisible effort reduces confusion, speeds execution and prevents rework. —

Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Researchers identified an association between quitting smoking and a lower risk of dementia, but the study was not designed to prove that ending smoking directly prevents the condition. —

Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 Training plants to stay off the ground instead of trailing prevents many common fungal diseases, fruit spots, and rots. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026 This method conserves water, meets each plant's hydration needs, and prevents overwatering by eliminating human error such as forgetting to turn off the hose. —

Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026 Since the style is already relaxed and oversized, this design detail prevents them from becoming aggressively saggy. —

Irene Richardson, InStyle, 31 May 2026 The origins of the law that prevents the NTSB from releasing CVR audio date back to the crash of Delta Air Lines flight 1141 in 1988. —

Joel Rose, NPR, 30 May 2026 The main idea was to create a secure keychain that prevents accidental release and keeps your keys safely secured at all times. —

Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevents

Verb

For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The Corps project averts potential catastrophic flooding that could lay siege to about 475,000 residents, California and the nation, according to the government’s court documents.

— Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025