as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly
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Recent Examples of forestall
By some interpretations, the fawner resembles Scheherazade, forestalling death through creative feats that appease the men around her.
—
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The lack of progress within the Colorado River Basin is frustrating many tribal leaders, who have used their own water to help forestall shortages on the river.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
To forestall these objections, new programs aimed at leveling the playing field could emphasize that the workplace will continue to uphold its values and that everyone — including the majority — will remain treated fairly.
—Nina Stachenfeld, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The lack of progress within the Colorado River Basin is frustrating many tribal leaders, who have used their own water to help forestall shortages on the river.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
To forestall these objections, new programs aimed at leveling the playing field could emphasize that the workplace will continue to uphold its values and that everyone — including the majority — will remain treated fairly.
—Nina Stachenfeld, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
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Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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In Connecticut and across New England, where talk of electricity tends to turn on highest-in-the-nation rates, the potential cold weather energy emergency faced by customers elsewhere was averted, but that success comes with a warning.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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