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. to keep (someone from doing something); hinder; impede

3. (intr) to interpose or act as a hindrance

4. archaic,  (tr) to anticipate or precede

Other Word Forms

• preventable adjective
• preventible adjective
• preventabilty noun
• preventingly adverb
• nonpreventable adjective
• nonpreventible adjective
• quasi-prevented adjective
• unpreventable adjective
• unprevented adjective
• unpreventible adjective
• preventability noun
• preventably adverb

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

Only injury can prevent him starting England's first World Cup match, a game-changing influence Tuchel can count on, a player proven at the highest levels for club and country.

Read more on BBC

Tenants who want to leave can give two months' notice, which the government says will prevent tenants paying rent for substandard properties.

Read more on BBC

The group said other staff members may have left during the shutdown when they were no longer getting paid, while a hiring freeze prevents them from being replaced.

Read more on MarketWatch

And at the same time it said the Google Play app store prevented developers from steering customers outside the store to access cheaper deals.

Read more on Barron's

By blocking the inward flow of gas, Jupiter prevented young planets from migrating toward the sun.

Read more on Science Daily

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