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
Ehrlich and his supporters replied that while the Green Revolution might have forestalled widespread famine, human impacts were weighing ever more heavily on the planet.
—
The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
And, as if to forestall the accusations of exploitation that have plagued earlier shows, Love Story goes out of its way to empathize with its lovers.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
The only person who might be able to forestall the intraparty fight, or at least limit its fallout, is Trump.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
According to The New York Times, the comments could even have forestalled American strikes on Iran.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forestall
The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
And, as if to forestall the accusations of exploitation that have plagued earlier shows, Love Story goes out of its way to empathize with its lovers.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
The only person who might be able to forestall the intraparty fight, or at least limit its fallout, is Trump.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
According to The New York Times, the comments could even have forestalled American strikes on Iran.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forestall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestall
Verb
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Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After amassing 105 points, the sixth-best point total in the NHL last year that tied a single-season franchise record, the Kings are seeking to avert a similar fall from grace.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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And if the lab finds the two samples to be a definite mismatch, an unthinkable error will have been averted at the last possible moment.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestall. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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