prevent

[ pri-vent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep from occurring; avert; hinder:

   He intervened to prevent bloodshed.

   Synonyms: thwart, obviate, preclude, forestall, obstruct

   Antonyms: assist, help

2. to hinder or stop from doing something:

   There is nothing to prevent us from going.

3. Archaic. to act ahead of; forestall.
4. Archaic. to precede.
5. Archaic. to anticipate.

verb (used without object)

1. to interpose a hindrance:

   He will come if nothing prevents.

prevent

/ prɪˈvɛnt /

verb

1. tr to keep from happening, esp by taking precautionary action
2. troften foll byfrom to keep (someone from doing something); hinder; impede
3. intr to interpose or act as a hindrance
4. archaic.
   tr to anticipate or precede

Derived Forms

• preˌventaˈbility, noun
• preˈventably, adverb
• preˈventable, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·venta·ble pre·venti·ble adjective
• pre·venta·bilty noun
• pre·venting·ly adverb
• nonpre·venta·ble adjective
• nonpre·venti·ble adjective
• quasi-pre·vented adjective
• unpre·venta·ble adjective
• unpre·vented adjective
• unpre·venti·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin praeventus “anticipated,” past participle of praevenīre “to anticipate,” equivalent to prae- pre- ( def ) + venīre “to come”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent¹

C15: from Latin praevenīre, from prae before + venīre to come

Synonym Study

Prevent, hamper, hinder, impede refer to different degrees of stoppage of action or progress. To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible: to prevent the sending of a message. To hamper is to clog or entangle or put an embarrassing restraint upon: to hamper preparations for a trip. To hinder is to keep back by delaying or stopping progress or action: to hinder the progress of an expedition. To impede is to make difficult the movement or progress of anything by interfering with its proper functioning: to impede a discussion by demanding repeated explanations.

Example Sentences

Prevent disordered eating, then, and you can prevent eating disorders.

From The Daily Beast

If we want to prevent others from your fate, we need to stop being so passive on these issues.

From The Daily Beast

Overbearing regulations prevent people from doing their jobs.

From The Daily Beast

In 1956, Balenciaga and Givenchy banned the press from viewing their collections for a month to prevent counterfeiting.

From The Daily Beast

The NRA opposed a new California law that will help prevent gun deaths, homicides and suicides both.

From The Daily Beast

The exertions of the city authorities, who had notice of the meditated riot, were unable to prevent or quell it.

From Project Gutenberg

To prevent intruders or extruders from withdrawing his mind from the text, he exercises the Inhibitory function of the Attention.

From Project Gutenberg

This may be called the first day of the revolution, although the object of the meeting was to prevent such a catastrophe.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom held to his strange belief to 'Let it all come,' he would not try to prevent; he would neither shirk nor dodge.

From Project Gutenberg

He used every artifice to prevent a collision between the French and Neapolitan troops.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• avert
• avoid
• bar
• block
• counter
• forbid
• forestall
• halt
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• limit
• preclude
• prohibit
• put an end to
• restrain
• restrict
• rule out
• stop