as in averts
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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Recent Examples of prevents
Zofran, the brand name for ondansetron, is a prescription anti-nausea medication that blocks serotonin receptors in your gut and brain that, in turn, prevents them from triggering nausea and vomiting.
—
Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Williams said one of his goals is to change the state law that prevents people who have been convicted of felonies from holding office.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
This prevents your water line from freezing up.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Liquid Brine Spraying liquid brine onto your walkways and driveway before a storm or freezing temperatures, or immediately after shoveling snow, lowers the freezing point of water and creates a barrier that prevents ice from bonding to pavement, according to Gautum.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
One, sponsored by Redman, prevents some immigrants from accessing public services like prenatal care and crisis counseling.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Grassley has argued that the practice protects checks and balances, encourages the White House to consult with senators, and prevents administrations of either party from jamming through prosecutors and judges who lack local support.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Scientists envision turning this antibody into a treatment that prevents infections in high-risk infants, potentially to be used alongside existing vaccines to strengthen protection against malaria.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The tool also prevents the infected from resurrecting into more dangerous creatures.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Williams said one of his goals is to change the state law that prevents people who have been convicted of felonies from holding office.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
This prevents your water line from freezing up.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Liquid Brine Spraying liquid brine onto your walkways and driveway before a storm or freezing temperatures, or immediately after shoveling snow, lowers the freezing point of water and creates a barrier that prevents ice from bonding to pavement, according to Gautum.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
One, sponsored by Redman, prevents some immigrants from accessing public services like prenatal care and crisis counseling.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Grassley has argued that the practice protects checks and balances, encourages the White House to consult with senators, and prevents administrations of either party from jamming through prosecutors and judges who lack local support.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Scientists envision turning this antibody into a treatment that prevents infections in high-risk infants, potentially to be used alongside existing vaccines to strengthen protection against malaria.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The tool also prevents the infected from resurrecting into more dangerous creatures.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevents
Verb
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For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Corps project averts potential catastrophic flooding that could lay siege to about 475,000 residents, California and the nation, according to the government’s court documents.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Wolves were rumored to be pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, but the Dosunmu deal likely precludes a deal for the former two-time MVP.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Be warned that waiting until after a letter of intent (LOI) is signed often precludes tax mitigation strategies that require long-term structuring.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevents. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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