prevented; preventing; prevents
1
: to keep from happening or existing
steps to prevent war
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
: to interpose an obstacle
preventer
noun
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
Campillo and other critics call that shift a bait-and-switch, and Campillo’s proposal seeks to prevent a repeat by requiring any ballot measure that could create a new fee — or raise an existing one — to undergo a comprehensive analysis long before voters weigh in.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The new law prevents state agencies and employees from entering into 287(g) agreements and orders that all existing agreements end by July 2026.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
That bill would prevent state agencies and employees from entering into 287(g) agreements and would end all existing deals by July.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
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David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The new law prevents state agencies and employees from entering into 287(g) agreements and orders that all existing agreements end by July 2026.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
That bill would prevent state agencies and employees from entering into 287(g) agreements and would end all existing deals by July.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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