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

A series of systemic and human failures prevented speedy evacuations in the first hours of the Eaton fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Police deny this, saying all personnel receive proper training before operations, while activists urge the government to prevent ex-rebels from returning to arms.

From BBC

He also urged the DHS to take "appropriate disciplinary action and implement measures to prevent this from happening again".

From BBC

"I continue to suffer significant detriment" prevented from attending conference and "being able to stand for leader this year".

From BBC

Despite decades of work there is still no cure for mitochondrial disease, but the chance to prevent it being passed on gives hope to Lily.

From BBC

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