prevent

verb

pre·​vent pri-ˈvent How to pronounce prevent (audio)
prevented; preventing; prevents

transitive verb

1
: to keep from happening or existing
steps to prevent war
2
: to hold or keep back : hinder, stop
often used with from
3
: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding
4
archaic
a
: to be in readiness for (something, such as an occasion)
b
: to meet or satisfy in advance
c
: to act ahead of
d
: to go or arrive before

intransitive verb

: to interpose an obstacle
preventability noun
preventable adjective
or less commonly preventible
preventer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for prevent

prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand.

prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first.

anticipated the question by making a statement

forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

Examples of prevent in a Sentence

Seatbelts in cars often prevent serious injuries. Can exercise and a healthy diet prevent heart disease? The accident could have been prevented. He grabbed my arm to prevent me from falling. Bad weather prevented us from leaving. How are you going to prevent him from finding out about the party?
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This natural compound may help improve back acne and prevent or fade dark spots that develop after a breakout. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025 According to Yau, those with acne-prone skin should reach for a stainless steel gua sha—unlike natural stone, stainless steel is non-porous and anti-bacterial, preventing unwanted breakouts and aggravating easily congested skin. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025 Advocates and government agencies say doubling down on those strategies could help prevent more pedestrian deaths in the future. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 However, during intake, BOP staff confiscate and discard all medications, citing efforts to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs. Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prevent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to anticipate, from Latin praeventus, past participle of praevenire to come before, anticipate, forestall, from prae- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

prevent

verb
pre·​vent pri-ˈvent How to pronounce prevent (audio)
1
: to keep from happening
prevent accidents
2
: to hold or keep back : hinder, stop
bad weather prevented us from leaving
preventable adjective
also preventible

More from Merriam-Webster on prevent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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