as in to avert
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevent
While Big Tech exploits vulnerable Floridians, Florida’s lawmakers are taking action to prevent the costs of data centers from shifting to regular utility ratepayers, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of everyday Floridians.
—
Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Cardiac tampondade is a buildup of blood or other fluid around the heart that prevents the heart from pumping blood properly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Noah Daly
april 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Congress passed legislation in 2023 that would prevent any president from pulling out of NATO without its approval.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Some previous objectives laid out by the administration – such as destroying Iran's Navy and missile-building capabilities, as well as preventing it from arming and funding terrorism across the globe – have apparently been at least partially achieved.
—Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Cardiac tampondade is a buildup of blood or other fluid around the heart that prevents the heart from pumping blood properly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Noah Daly
april 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Congress passed legislation in 2023 that would prevent any president from pulling out of NATO without its approval.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Some previous objectives laid out by the administration – such as destroying Iran's Navy and missile-building capabilities, as well as preventing it from arming and funding terrorism across the globe – have apparently been at least partially achieved.
—Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
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
Verb
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In addition, the plaintiffs insisted that MLB’s anti-tampering rules, which preclude franchises from recruiting other teams’ players, coaches and managers, hurt older scouts.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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These periods sometimes last months and preclude solar power.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Takaoka played a long arcing ball-ahead to Ocampo, who avoided goalkeeper James Pantemis — who had charged off his line — and rolled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the back post and into a wide-open net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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