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prevent

pre·vent

prevent

 
 
pronunciation:
prih vent
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: prevents, preventing, prevented
definition: to keep or stop from occurring or from doing something.
Good sanitation can prevent illness to a large degree.The school tries to prevent cheating in various ways.[verb + gerund ] I can't prevent your leaving college, but I think you'll regret it.[verb + possessive adj + gerund ] The police prevented the protesters from entering City Hall.They narrowly prevented the ceiling from collapsing.
synonyms:
avert, deter, forestall, frustrate, hinder, inhibit, preclude, stop
antonyms:
allow, enable, let, permit
similar words:
anticipate, balk, bar, discourage, foil, forbid, hamper, impede, obviate, prohibit, repress, restrain, thwart
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to present a hindrance or difficulty.
We'll discuss this later today, unless time prevents.
synonyms:
hinder
similar words:
balk, stop
definition 2: to keep something from occurring (fol. by "against").
This toothpaste is supposed to prevent against tooth decay.
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derivations: preventable (adj.), preventer (n.)
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