as in preventive
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
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as in insurance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preventative
ABC News,
28 June 2026
Monitor the bite and watch for a bull’s-eye rash and other symptoms of Lyme disease or take a preventative dose of antibiotics?
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Some doctors also prescribe antivirals as a preventative for people who are at high risk for the virus if they are exposed.
—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Adjective
Kate revealed in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
—
ABC News,
28 June 2026
Monitor the bite and watch for a bull’s-eye rash and other symptoms of Lyme disease or take a preventative dose of antibiotics?
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Noun
Clayful partners with schools to provide preventative, pre-clinical mental health coaching to students.
—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Some doctors also prescribe antivirals as a preventative for people who are at high risk for the virus if they are exposed.
—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventative
Adjective
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Wisconsin girl began rabies treatment after bat bite The report comes as public health officials continue to warn about rabies risks following a recent case in Wisconsin, where a 6-year-old girl received preventive treatment after a bat bite.
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Specifically, policymakers cite the importance of more preventive care in addition to lifestyle modifications such as a better diet and more exercise that improve health independent of healthcare provision.
Noun
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But the ongoing costs of owning a home, including insurance and property taxes, are still rising, posing an affordability challenge to all homeowners.
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Under the plan, companies will be billed for each employee and employees’ dependent receiving Medicaid, the joint state-federal insurance program.
Noun
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As a further precaution, consider adding background noise, like the TV or a white noise machine, to help muffle the sounds.
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Take every precaution to never leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, especially in extreme heat when car interiors can quickly become hazardous.
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventative. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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