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View synonyms for

prevent

[ pri-vent ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to keep from occurring; avert; hinder:

    He intervened to prevent bloodshed.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  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

/ ɪˈɛԳ /

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԳٲ, adjective
  • ˌԳٲˈٲ, noun
  • ˈԳٲ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·Գa· ·Գi· adjective
  • ·Գa·t noun
  • ·ԳiԲ· adverb
  • non·Գa· adjective
  • non·Գi· adjective
  • ܲȴ-·ԳĻ adjective
  • un·Գa· adjective
  • ܲp·ԳĻ adjective
  • un·Գi· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin praeventus “anticipated,” past participle of 𱹱ī “to anticipate,” equivalent to prae- pre- ( def ) + ī “to come”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prevent1

C15: from Latin 𱹱ī, from prae before + ī to come
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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Officers on the other side of the fence can be heard yelling for her to drop her gun, although a helicopter hovering above may have prevented her from hearing them.

From

Attorneys for the students have argued that the revocations violate the students' legal rights, and the fear of detention has prevented them from fulfilling their studies.

From

On Saturday Tanzania's agriculture minister posted a video on social media showing a pile of rotten bananas in a truck which had been prevented from entering Malawi.

From

The association says cutting VAT could actually increase overall tax take, by preventing more workers going self-employed or entering the black market.

From

The cypress coffin symbolised humility and mortality; the outer oak coffin, a sign of 'dignity and strength' and the lead coffin, welded to preserve the remains and prevent tampering.

From

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prevenient graceprevent defense