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
Rat poison typically includes bromadiolone, which prevents blood from clotting, according to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety.
—
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Lindsay Olson, the founder of Lulu Designs, explains how treating the outdoors as a room prevents a space from looking sparse.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
That's the vaccine that prevents measles infections.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
This prevents unwanted chemicals from leaching into the soil.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Turning off water before leaving home prevents these worst-case scenarios.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The seeds and surrounding juices inside uncooked tomatoes can be slightly bitter and astringent, so squeeze them out before chopping the flesh (this also prevents the sauce from getting too watery).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Lindsay Olson, the founder of Lulu Designs, explains how treating the outdoors as a room prevents a space from looking sparse.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
That's the vaccine that prevents measles infections.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
This prevents unwanted chemicals from leaching into the soil.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Turning off water before leaving home prevents these worst-case scenarios.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The seeds and surrounding juices inside uncooked tomatoes can be slightly bitter and astringent, so squeeze them out before chopping the flesh (this also prevents the sauce from getting too watery).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 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
-
The Constitution precludes that encroachment.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
That precludes Sikh members from participating in local democracy, said Mandeep Singh, the regional director of the Jakara Movement, a nonprofit for young Sikhs to advocate for their religion.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevents. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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