prevented; preventing; prevents
1
: to keep from happening or existing
steps to prevent war
3
: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding
4
archaic
a
: to be in readiness for (something, such as an occasion)
b
: to meet or satisfy in advance
c
: to act ahead of
d
: to go or arrive before
: to interpose an obstacle
preventer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of prevent in a Sentence
Seatbelts in cars often prevent serious injuries.
Can exercise and a healthy diet prevent heart disease?
The accident could have been prevented.
He grabbed my arm to prevent me from falling.
Bad weather prevented us from leaving.
How are you going to prevent him from finding out about the party?
Recent Examples on the Web
Funding cuts could prevent the FDA from making important recalls like the recent one on Lay's potato chips for undeclared milk allergens, Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek.
—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Raheem Sterling came to look like costly, unintended restrictions on trade, as neither player has made meaningful contributions to the team in the first half of the season yet their presence prevented Arsenal from bringing in a Premier League striker on loan.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
Batavia was cold from the field in the first half, but the Bulldogs’ defense prevented St. Charles North from putting together a long scoring run and kept the game close until shots started to fall.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
The pause has prevented important studies on bird flu and its transmission from being published.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prevent 
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Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Raheem Sterling came to look like costly, unintended restrictions on trade, as neither player has made meaningful contributions to the team in the first half of the season yet their presence prevented Arsenal from bringing in a Premier League striker on loan.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
Batavia was cold from the field in the first half, but the Bulldogs’ defense prevented St. Charles North from putting together a long scoring run and kept the game close until shots started to fall.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
The pause has prevented important studies on bird flu and its transmission from being published.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prevent
Dictionary Entries Near prevent
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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