Library / English Dictionary

PREVENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state

Example:

Keep the child from eating the marbles

Synonyms:

keep; prevent

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Verb group:

keep (hold and prevent from leaving)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prevent"):

defend (be on the defensive; act against an attack)

exclude; keep out; shut; shut out (prevent from entering; shut out)

restrict (prevent (information) from being circulated or disclosed)

hold (keep from departing)

keep away (prevent from coming close)

restrain (prevent (someone or something) from doing something)

blank (keep the opposing (baseball) team from winning)

hinder; impede (be a hindrance or obstacle to)

rain out; wash out (prevent or interrupt due to rain)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Sentence example:

They prevent him from writing the letter

Antonym:

let (make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen)

Derivation:

preventative (tending to prevent or hinder)

prevention (the act of preventing)

preventive (tending to prevent or hinder)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Keep from happening or arising; make impossible

Example:

Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project

Synonyms:

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prevent"):

inhibit (prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something)

make unnecessary; save (make unnecessary an expenditure or effort)

avert; avoid; debar; deflect; fend off; forefend; forfend; head off; obviate; stave off; ward off (prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening)

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy (hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of)

baffle; bilk; cross; foil; frustrate; queer; scotch; spoil; thwart (hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of)

block; halt; kibosh; stop (stop from happening or developing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

preventative; preventive (tending to prevent or hinder)

Credits

 Context examples: 

“Ha!” thought she, as she woke up and looked at it through the window, “after all I cannot prevent the sun rising.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Business on Sir John's part, and a violent cold on her own, prevented their calling in Berkeley Street.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

They also reported the coating repels bacteria, which has implications for preventing the spread of disease and certainly reduces smells.

(Materials scientists invent new coating for self-cleaning, water-efficient toilets, Wikinews)

It may also prevent the spread of cancer.

(Abegrin, NCI Dictionary)

Now, I am glad I have been so foolish as to put the case, for it is so very good to know that your duty to each other would prevent it!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This may prevent their functioning and eventually kill the parasite.

(Acetarsol, NCI Thesaurus)

A drug used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma.

(Accolate, NCI Dictionary)

"There's just one thing that prevents me from taking you."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

A form of the natural substance carnitine that is being studied as a way to prevent tissue damage caused by chemotherapy.

(acetyl-L-carnitine, NCI Dictionary)

Some evidence suggests that acetylcysteine may exert an anti-apoptotic effect due to its antioxidant activity, possibly preventing cancer cell development or growth.

(Acetylcysteine, NCI Thesaurus)