as in preventive
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster
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Recent Examples of prophylactic
While cases are likely to be fatal when symptoms show up, Harrist told the outlet that a five-shot prophylactic course during a two-week period after being exposed, had a high chance of preventing sickness.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
For example, when patients undergo surgery to remove a tumour, they are often given prophylactic antibiotics to prevent post-operative infections.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
People with weakened immune systems may also benefit from using a laundry sanitizer as a prophylactic measure.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
And he’s got a prophylactic nasal rinse, which, actually, he’s come to sort of like for reasons that don’t have much to do with COVID.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prophylactic
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
For example, when patients undergo surgery to remove a tumour, they are often given prophylactic antibiotics to prevent post-operative infections.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
People with weakened immune systems may also benefit from using a laundry sanitizer as a prophylactic measure.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
And he’s got a prophylactic nasal rinse, which, actually, he’s come to sort of like for reasons that don’t have much to do with COVID.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prophylactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prophylactic
Adjective
-
Despite over a century of investigation, there is still no cure, but advances in diagnostic tools, treatments and preventive strategies continue to offer hope for slowing the disease and improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For children, Arizona consistently ranks below the national average for preventive dental visits.—
Sixteen Ramos,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But Williams has put some preventative measures in place ahead of the tour presale to ensure that those who share this experience are in the minority, rather than part of a larger collective of fans being exploited by scalpers and bots.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
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Mamdani’s policy ideas include aggressive measures to stabilize housing costs for millions of New Yorkers, free public transportation, child care and a preventative policy approach toward crime that builds social cohesion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prophylactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prophylactic. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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