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
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Recent Examples of prevents
Grassley has argued that the practice protects checks and balances, encourages the White House to consult with senators, and prevents administrations of either party from jamming through prosecutors and judges who lack local support.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
This evolution also dismantles what Rebecca describes as the fourth wall of work, the invisible barrier that prevents people from understanding how their capability connects to real demand.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Scientists envision turning this antibody into a treatment that prevents infections in high-risk infants, potentially to be used alongside existing vaccines to strengthen protection against malaria.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The tool also prevents the infected from resurrecting into more dangerous creatures.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Routine cleaning with vinegar prevents stains from building up, saving you time and effort in the long run.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Keeping the low-priority projects on the list both keeps them on the RDC’s radar and prevents the budget from being permanently reduced, Mayor Austin Bonta said.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
This script prevents you from making assumptions that kill deals.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
This evolution also dismantles what Rebecca describes as the fourth wall of work, the invisible barrier that prevents people from understanding how their capability connects to real demand.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Scientists envision turning this antibody into a treatment that prevents infections in high-risk infants, potentially to be used alongside existing vaccines to strengthen protection against malaria.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The tool also prevents the infected from resurrecting into more dangerous creatures.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Routine cleaning with vinegar prevents stains from building up, saving you time and effort in the long run.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Keeping the low-priority projects on the list both keeps them on the RDC’s radar and prevents the budget from being permanently reduced, Mayor Austin Bonta said.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
This script prevents you from making assumptions that kill deals.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 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
Verb
-
Be warned that waiting until after a letter of intent (LOI) is signed often precludes tax mitigation strategies that require long-term structuring.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
-
An indictment precludes the need for a preliminary hearing.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevents. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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