Pronunciations (3)
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/pɹɪˈvɛnt/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
- Received-Pronunciation
-
/pɹəˈvɛnt/
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pɹɪˈvɛnt
Verb
To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.
Barriers have been put up to prevent more people (from) entering the stadium.
More examples (1)
Scotland must now hope Georgia produce a huge upset and beat Argentina by at least eight points in Sunday's final Pool B match to prevent them failing to make the last eight for the first time in World Cup history.
To take preventative measures.
Usage- Archaic
- Intransitive
- Examples
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I think you must be mad, and she shall not have a glimpse of it while I'm here to prevent!
To come before; to precede.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.
We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
More examples (1)
Then had I come, preventing Sheba's Queen, / To ſee the comelieſt of the Sons of Men; […]
To outdo, surpass.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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With that he put his spurres vnto his steed, / With speare in rest, and toward him did fare, / Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.
To be beforehand with; to anticipate.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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their ready guilt preventing thy commands
Verb
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
- Examples
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My sense of tact forbids an honest answer
Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project
stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
More examples (1)
Keep the child from eating the marbles