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
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
Perhaps more important, though, is doing your best to prevent those flares in the first place.
—
Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Some states, such as California, New Jersey and Illinois, have sanctuary laws that prevent local jurisdictions from signing 287(g) agreements.
—Julia Ingram, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
At a Friday hearing, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson prevented the agency from cutting off the employees’ computer access as planned later in the day until the judge holds a hearing near the end of the month.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Retaining walls also prevent erosion and control water run-off in a front yard or garden.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
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Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Some states, such as California, New Jersey and Illinois, have sanctuary laws that prevent local jurisdictions from signing 287(g) agreements.
—Julia Ingram, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
At a Friday hearing, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson prevented the agency from cutting off the employees’ computer access as planned later in the day until the judge holds a hearing near the end of the month.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Retaining walls also prevent erosion and control water run-off in a front yard or garden.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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