forestall

[fohr-stawl, fawr-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forestall ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance: to forestall a riot by deploying police.

to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.

to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.

to prevent sales at (a fair, market, etc.) by buying up or diverting goods.

Origin of forestall

1350–1400; Middle English forstallen, verbal derivative of forstalle, Old English foresteall intervention (to defeat justice), waylaying. See fore-, stall²

Related formsfore·stall·er, nounfore·stall·ment, forestal·ment, nounun·fore·stalled, adjective

Synonyms for forestall

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forestall ON THESAURUS.COM

1. preclude, obviate, intercept, obstruct. 2. prevent, avert.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for forestall

hinder, prevent, thwart, avert, preclude, deter, anticipate, delay, monopolize, preoccupy

Examples from the Web for forestall

Contemporary Examples of forestall

The invasion of Crimea, however, shows that the Putin has chosen to forestall change with the help of foreign aggression.
Ukraine’s Revolutionary Lesson for Russia
David Satter
March 2, 2014
The way to beat them is not to forestall or worry about who scored points today.
How to Stop a Scandal
Michael Tomasky
May 16, 2013
Chavez could be declared "temporarily absent," a narrowly legal if baldly political maneuver to forestall succession.
If Hugo Chavez Succumbs, a Dangerous Limbo for Venezuela
Mac Margolis
January 6, 2013
The problem is that in an effort to forestall an Israeli strike, Obama is making war pledges now.
Obama Needs U.S. Debate Before Making Pledges to Israel About Attacking Iran
Peter Beinart
August 20, 2012
The global community came together to forestall the worst of the 2008–09 crisis, and "kumbaya" moments came fast and furious.
Debt-Debacle Hangover
Zachary Karabell
August 2, 2011

Historical Examples of forestall

After this she would be on her guard, forestall Martin, do tenderly what he would do harshly.
Dust
Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
He must straight to Rosamund to forestall the tale that others would carry to her.
The Sea-Hawk
Raphael Sabatini
He could see it forming, and went on hurriedly to forestall it.
The Duke Of Chimney Butte
G. W. Ogden
Nettie rose when they approached her to forestall their questions.
The Doctor's Family
Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
Jim turned up his coat collar to forestall a possible repetition.
The Spoilers of the Valley
Robert Watson

British Dictionary definitions for forestall

forestall

verb (tr)

to delay, stop, or guard against beforehand

to anticipate

to prevent or hinder sales at (a market, etc) by buying up merchandise in advance, etc
to buy up (merchandise) for profitable resaleCompare corner (def. 21)

Derived Formsforestaller, nounforestalment or esp US forestallment, noun

Word Origin for forestall

C14 forestallen to waylay, from Old English foresteall an ambush, from fore- in front of + steall place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for forestall

late 14c. (implied in forestalling), "to lie in wait for;" also "to intercept goods before they reach public markets and buy them privately" (formerly a crime; mid-14c. in this sense in Anglo-French), from Old English noun foresteall "intervention, hindrance (of justice); an ambush, a waylaying," literally "a standing before (someone)," from fore- "before" + steall "standing position" (see stall (n.1)). Modern sense of "to anticipate and delay" is from 1580s. Related: Forestalled; forestalling.