prevent

[ pri-vent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep from occurring; avert; hinder:

   He intervened to prevent bloodshed.

   Synonyms: thwart, obviate, preclude, forestall, obstruct

   Antonyms: assist, help

2. to hinder or stop from doing something:

   There is nothing to prevent us from going.

3. Archaic. to act ahead of; forestall.
4. Archaic. to precede.
5. Archaic. to anticipate.

verb (used without object)

1. to interpose a hindrance:

   He will come if nothing prevents.

prevent

/ prɪˈvɛnt /

verb

1. tr to keep from happening, esp by taking precautionary action
2. troften foll byfrom to keep (someone from doing something); hinder; impede
3. intr to interpose or act as a hindrance
4. archaic.
   tr to anticipate or precede

Derived Forms

• preˈventable, adjective
• preˌventaˈbility, noun
• preˈventably, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·venta·ble pre·venti·ble adjective
• pre·venta·bilty noun
• pre·venting·ly adverb
• nonpre·venta·ble adjective
• nonpre·venti·ble adjective
• quasi-pre·vented adjective
• unpre·venta·ble adjective
• unpre·vented adjective
• unpre·venti·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin praeventus “anticipated,” past participle of praevenīre “to anticipate,” equivalent to prae- pre- ( def ) + venīre “to come”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent¹

C15: from Latin praevenīre, from prae before + venīre to come

Synonym Study

Prevent, hamper, hinder, impede refer to different degrees of stoppage of action or progress. To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible: to prevent the sending of a message. To hamper is to clog or entangle or put an embarrassing restraint upon: to hamper preparations for a trip. To hinder is to keep back by delaying or stopping progress or action: to hinder the progress of an expedition. To impede is to make difficult the movement or progress of anything by interfering with its proper functioning: to impede a discussion by demanding repeated explanations.

Example Sentences

These experiments demonstrated that the antibodies were able to prevent the infected cells from accumulating, suggesting they might help stop the blockage that leads to severe malaria symptoms.

From Science Daily

"Importantly, our strategy enables early identification of people at high risk for developing heart dysfunction, allowing for timely interventions to prevent further loss of heart function."

From Science Daily

With the spotlight on SPT, the team hopes to see new non-statin drug development plans for managing and preventing cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily

In recent years, states that depend on the river have adopted a series of incremental water-saving plans in an effort to prevent the Colorado’s reservoirs from falling to critically low levels.

From Los Angeles Times

Antiplatelet drugs are medicines used to prevent strokes and stop platelets from clumping together.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• avert
• avoid
• bar
• block
• counter
• forbid
• forestall
• halt
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• limit
• preclude
• prohibit
• put an end to
• restrain
• restrict
• rule out
• stop