forestall

[ fohr-stawl, fawr- ]

/ foʊrˈstɔl, fɔr- /

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.

Nearby words

forest reserve, forest service, forest tent caterpillar, forestaff, forestage, forestall, forestalling, forestation, forestay, forestaysail, forested

Origin of forestall

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

SYNONYMS FOR forestall

1 preclude, obviate, intercept, obstruct.

2 prevent, avert.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forestall ON THESAURUS.COM

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

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
To protect his own interests Prescott decided to make an abridgment of his own, and thus to forestall the pirate.
William Hickling Prescott|Harry Thurston Peck
Then it occurred to her to forestall this contingency by bringing him the decanter and a glass.
Flappers and Philosophers|F. Scott Fitzgerald
She hoped to forestall the deputy sheriff and his posse, following the circuitous mountain road.
The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge|Charles Egbert Craddock (AKA Mary Noailles Murfree)
The object of my first visit a little while ago was to forestall your turning the diagram over to the Weasel.
The Adventures of Jimmie Dale|Frank L. Packard
Jameson was to have gone to the assistance of the Uitlanders; not to forestall the insurrection, which was fixed for January 4th.
Boer Politics|Yves Guyot

British Dictionary definitions for forestall

forestall

/ (fɔːˈstɔːl) /

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

forestall

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of forestall

Examples from the Web for forestall

British Dictionary definitions for forestall

forestall

verb (tr)

Word Origin for forestall