as in prevented
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of forestalled
That threat is now forestalled, but for how long?
—
Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the recent wobble has forestalled such a scenario.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
Many scientists including Barzilai think that the aging process can be modified and that, by doing so, diseases can be forestalled and people can stay healthier for longer.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Giants forestalled the question of whether to keep Melvin at the helm with their impressive run in late August and early September, and that Los Angeles Dodgers series answered it.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the recent wobble has forestalled such a scenario.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
Many scientists including Barzilai think that the aging process can be modified and that, by doing so, diseases can be forestalled and people can stay healthier for longer.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Giants forestalled the question of whether to keep Melvin at the helm with their impressive run in late August and early September, and that Los Angeles Dodgers series answered it.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalled
Verb
-
The initial hold-up that nearly prevented a Spanish figure skater from performing his short program, set to music from the Minions soundtrack, at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a 20-second segment at the beginning of his routine.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Tyler Mahle had his first reasonably healthy season since 2022 and, despite some odd underlying metrics, prevented runs.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
After hours of House of Commons debate, a vote was averted when the government gave in to lawmakers' anger and agreed that the Intelligence and Security Committee would decide what papers should be published, rather than a senior civil servant as Starmer had proposed.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forestalled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalled. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
