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
Two main strategies to eradicate the virus exist: prophylactic vaccines, to prevent initial infection, and therapeutic vaccines, to help people already infected.
—
Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
With their current study, the researchers are seeking to shift the paradigm and adopt a more proactive, prophylactic approach to pain management.
—New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2024
As a result, members of the latter group might consider a prophylactic mastectomy, whereas for others, the benefits of surgery are unlikely to outweigh the drawbacks.
—Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prophylactic
Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
With their current study, the researchers are seeking to shift the paradigm and adopt a more proactive, prophylactic approach to pain management.
—New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2024
As a result, members of the latter group might consider a prophylactic mastectomy, whereas for others, the benefits of surgery are unlikely to outweigh the drawbacks.
—Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prophylactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prophylactic
preventive
Adjective
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Americans of all ages are increasingly turning to social media for health information — and skipping preventive care, according to a new Healthline/YouGov survey.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Among the preventive services recommended by the task force are screenings for lung, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as diabetes; statin medications to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; and medication to prevent HIV, known as PrEP.—
Melissa Quinn
June 9,
CBS News,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prophylactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prophylactic. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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