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

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

A market that keeps chugging ahead doesn’t preclude plenty of volatility under the surface, and it might not stay there.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Edward’s sternness does not preclude real love for all his children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

"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 • Feb. 2, 2026

High reliefs largely preclude this kind of pictorialism.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

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