Antonyms for prevent
prɪˈvɛntpre·vent

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.8 / 6 votes

1. prevent

   The original sense of prevent, to come before, act in advance of, which is now practically obsolete, was still in good use when the authorized version of the Bible was made, as appears in such passages as, "When Peter was come into the house, Jesus prevented him" (i. e., addressed him first), Matt. xvii, 25; "Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness" (i. e., by sending the blessings before the desire is formulated or expressed), Ps. xxi, 3. Anticipate is now the only single word usable in this sense; to forestall is to take or act in advance in one's own behalf and to the prejudice of another or others, as in the phrase "to forestall the market." But to anticipate is very frequently used in the favorable sense; as, his thoughtful kindness anticipated my wish (i. e., met the wish before it was expressed): or we say, "I was about to accost him when he anticipated me" (by speaking first); or one anticipates a payment (by making it before the time); in neither of these cases could we use forestall or prevent. To obviate (literally, to stop the way of or remove from the way), is to prevent by interception, so that something that would naturally withstand or disturb may be kept from doing so; to preclude, (literally, to close or shut in advance) is to prevent by anticipation or by logical necessity; walls and bars precluded the possibility of escape; a supposition is precluded; a necessity or difficulty is obviated. Prevent, which at first had only the anticipatory meaning, has come to apply to the stopping of an action at any stage, the completion or conclusion only being thought of as negatived by anticipation; the enemy passed the outworks and were barely prevented from capturing the fortress. Compare HINDER; PROHIBIT.

   Synonyms:
   anticipate, forestall, obviate, preclude

   Preposition:
   He was prevented by illness from joining the expedition.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. prevent

   Antonyms:
   promote, aid, facilitate, expedite, encourage, advance, accelerate, induce, cause, produce

   Synonyms:
   hinder, obstruct, bar, neutralize, nullify, thwart, intercept, anticipate, forefend, frustrate, obviate, checkmate

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbidverb

   keep from happening or arising; make impossible

   "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project"

   Antonyms:
   allow, permit, let

   Synonyms:
   proscribe, rule out, counter, interdict, keep, veto, preclude, forestall, prohibit, foreclose, forbid, nix, anticipate, foresee, close out, disallow

2. prevent, keepverb

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

   "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles"

   Antonyms:
   permit, let, allow

   Synonyms:
   go along, keep on, celebrate, forestall, go on, keep, restrain, hold back, save, hold, hold on, foreclose, retain, forbid, keep back, proceed, maintain, keep open, observe, hold open, preserve, sustain, continue, stay fresh, preclude

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. preventverb

   Synonyms:
   thwart, hinder, obstruct, preclude, obviate, forestall, intercept, avert, parry, deter, frustrate

How to use prevent in a sentence?

1. Delisha Searcy:

   My heart is broken at the loss of my son, but I am hopeful that the changes in the Colorado Springs Police Department will prevent another family from losing a child.

2. English Proverb:

   A stumble may prevent a fall.

3. Thomas Jefferson:

   [I]f we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

4. Joy Lawn:

   We also need to be careful in attributing these deaths just to dirty water or pollution, to prevent deaths from pneumonia, we also need vaccines and antibiotics; from malaria, we also need bed nets and anti-malarials. It Is not just about pollution.

5. The Intelligence:

   Based on what I have learned so far, I believe these were an appropriate and reasonable use of force intended for defensive purposes, the Intelligence Committee will closely review the basis for this strike, including an assessment of whether this action will truly deter or prevent further attacks by these militias using UAVs and other means.

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