Synonyms for prevent
Definitions
- v. 1
To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.
Related words
- Word family
- preventable preventive preventingly prevention
Forms
- Past participle
- prevented
e.g. prevented → forestalled, thwarted, inhibited, hindered…
Choose the right word
To anticipate may be either to take before in fact or to take before in thought; in the former sense it is allied with prevent; in the latter, with the synonyms above given.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- hinder If you cannot help us, don't at least hinder us.
- inhibit He noticed that this drug seemed to inhibit bacterial growth.
- thwart A moat was dug around the castle to thwart attackers.
- forestall This campaign cannot forestall new Zika virus outbreaks.
- save The word processor will save you a lot of trouble.
By length
- 4 letters
- help1, keep1, stop1, save1
- 5 letters
- deter2, avert2, debar
- 6 letters
- oppose2, forbid2, hinder2, thwart1, impede2
- 7 letters
- inhibit3, obviate3
- 8 letters
- prohibit3, restrain2, obstruct2, preclude2
- 9 letters
- interrupt3, intercept3, frustrate2, forestall2, foreclose2
- 10 letters
- anticipate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (deter2 = 2 syllables).