as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
issued a strict schedule for doing household chores so as to preclude any arguments
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Recent Examples of preclude
The bills also seek to preclude challenges to some mandatory immunization requirements, for instance by allowing for religious exemptions.
—
Virginia E. Pitzer, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Pickett’s one-year deal doesn’t preclude the Panthers from taking another quarterback in the later rounds of the draft.
—Mike Kaye
march 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Some drones rely on AI to acquire targets because electronic jamming precludes remote control by human operators.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preclude
Virginia E. Pitzer, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Pickett’s one-year deal doesn’t preclude the Panthers from taking another quarterback in the later rounds of the draft.
—Mike Kaye
march 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Some drones rely on AI to acquire targets because electronic jamming precludes remote control by human operators.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preclude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preclude
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
“Preclude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preclude. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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