Synonyms

preclude

American

[pri-klood] / prɪˈklud /

verb (used with object)

precluded, precluding

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

The insufficiency of the evidence precludes a conviction.

Synonyms:

eliminate, forestall
to exclude or debar from something.

His contract precludes a raise for him.

preclude British

/ prɪˈkluːd, prɪˈkluːʒən, prɪˈkluːsɪv /

verb

to exclude or debar
to make impossible, esp beforehand

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Experts noted that the agreement does not preclude companies from using fossil fuels to meet growing energy demand.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 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

But that earlier dispute involved different issues and does not preclude an antitrust action.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

The distance between close “neighbors,” even if it were considerably less than the average, would seem to preclude frequent popping in for a chat.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023