preclude
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to exclude or debar
-
to make impossible, esp beforehand
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
preclusionnoun
-
precludableadjective
-
preclusiveadjective
-
unprecludableadjective
-
unpreclusiveadjective
-
preclusivelyadverb
-
unpreclusivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
precludesimple
-
precludessimple
-
have precludedperfect
-
has precludedperfect
-
am precludingprogressive
-
are precludingprogressive
-
is precludingprogressive
-
have been precludingperfect progressive
-
has been precludingperfect progressive
Past
-
precludedsimple
-
had precludedperfect
-
was precludingprogressive
-
were precludingprogressive
-
had been precludingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of preclude
First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin praeclūdere “to shut off, close,” equivalent to prae- pre- + -clūdere, combining form of claudere “to shut, close ”
Compare meaning
How does preclude compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
To preclude something is to prevent it from happening. A muzzle precludes a dog from biting. This is a very formal word, but it has a simple meaning: when something is precluded, it can't happen. See the prefix pre in preclude and in prevent? It is signaling that these words are all about things done before another action would happen — to make it impossible. Staying away from water precludes the possibility of drowning, though it also precludes any chance of having fun swimming.
Vocabulary lists containing preclude
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Power Prefix: pre-
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"This doesn't preclude some relatively minor modification of the fiscal rules to allow somewhat more borrowing for investment, but not for current spending," he said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
To preclude lawmakers considering more radical moves such as allowing video cameras to record Fed meetings, Greenspan led his colleagues to approve the release of policy-meeting transcripts with a five-year lag.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Hallucinations preclude AI autonomy and automation in any high-stakes environment.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
Along with all the other abuses uncovered during the Watergate era, new rules governing the FBI were put in place to preclude such abuses from happening again.
From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2026
“I rather hope to satisfy you both,” said Emma, “for I shall do all in my power to make them happy, which will be enough for Isabella; and happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
He compressed the time-scale to such an extent that, watching the movie, one is drawn into a gathering tide of events that precludes reflection or analysis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Powell sticking it out, even for a few more months, precludes that option.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
"We are dedicated to serving our community with full transparency; however, the law precludes us from doing so while the court order remains in this case," Dr Ukpo added.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2025
We are dedicated to serving our community with full transparency; however, the law precludes us from doing so while the court order remains in this case.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025
“Absolutely. Owls are wise. They are carefu and patient. Wisdom precludes boldness.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Reading the Westfall Act with close “attention to its text,” he concluded, shows that Congress has not precluded laws like Maine’s.
From Slate ● Apr. 15, 2026
Comey had asked Currie to dismiss the case “with prejudice,” a move that would have precluded reviving the case.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
I could have claimed Austrian retirement on my 65th birthday in 2023, but concerns about the Windfall Elimination Provision interfering with my Social Security benefits precluded this.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 4, 2025
Even though the government did not clarify whether Vidovic had served his time, it said a criminal sentence precluded him from holding public office.
From Barron's ● Nov. 20, 2025
It occurred to me that the business of surviving precluded a great many things, exploring and falling in love not least among them.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
Under the provisions of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act, regulations governing the flag had become "a transferred prerogative matter", precluding Her Majesty's "command on flags … having any legal effect in Northern Ireland".
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2025
“What they want to do is get people up and running to start building the bank, rather than precluding people at the front end,” Portilla said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
The Hertz rental had burned down to its frame, precluding the collection of DNA evidence, Det.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2025
By comparison, even the best available practical hydrogen storage tanks allow the gas to leak out at a rate of about 1 percent per day, precluding any uses that would require year-long storage, Li says.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2023
“It means,” said Baaz, “that it will be added to your debts. By my own quick calculations, you should be able to pay it back in approximately thirty-five years, precluding interest.”
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
