preclude

American  

[pri-klood] / prɪˈklud /

verb (used with object)

precluded, precluding

1. to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible.

   The insufficiency of the evidence precludes a conviction.

   Synonyms:

   eliminate, forestall

2. to exclude or debar from something.

   His contract precludes a raise for him.

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preclude British  

/ prɪˈkluːd, prɪˈkluːʒən, prɪˈkluːsɪv /

verb

1. to exclude or debar

2. to make impossible, esp beforehand

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Other Word Forms

• precludable adjective
• preclusion noun
• preclusive adjective
• preclusively adverb
• unprecludable adjective
• unpreclusive adjective
• unpreclusively adverb

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:

• preclude vs. exclude

Example Sentences

Powell sticking it out, even for a few more months, precludes that option.

From Barron's

"This outcome should make plain that time does not preclude a successful prosecution; we will doggedly pursue justice for the victims of non-recent crimes, no matter how many decades have passed."

From BBC

That could preclude many policies to increase housing supply, which most economists agree is the strongest way to make homes more affordable.

From Barron's

“If the merger does occur, nothing precludes the department from taking an enforcement action in the future if anticompetitive effects are found,” the spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also isn’t clear that the Donroe Doctrine precludes interventions outside the Western Hemisphere.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• avert
• cease
• deter
• exclude
• forestall
• hinder
• impede
• obviate
• prevent
• prohibit
• rule out