| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | act in advance of |
| Synonyms: | apprehend, be early, be one step ahead of, beat someone to it, block, delay, forestall, hinder, hold back, intercept, precede, preclude, prepare for, prevent, provide against |
| Antonyms: | be unready |
| Main Entry: | balk |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | thwart |
| Synonyms: | baffle, bar, beat, check, circumvent, counteract, cramp, cramp one's style, dash, defeat, disappoint, disconcert, foil, forestall, frustrate, hinder, obstruct, prevent, ruin, stall, stop, throw a curve, throw monkey wrench in, upset the apple cart |
| Antonyms: | aid, help, make easier |
| Main Entry: | deter |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | check, inhibit from action |
| Synonyms: | act like a wet blanket, avert, block, caution, chill, cool, damp, dampen, daunt, debar, disadvise, discourage, dissuade, divert, forestall, forfend, frighten, hinder, impede, intimidate, obstruct, obviate, preclude, prevent, prohibit, put a damper on, put off, restrain, rule out, scare, shut out, stave off, stop, talk out of, throw cold water on, turn off, warn |
| Antonyms: | encourage, instigate, persuade, promote, put on to, stimulate, support, turn on, urge |
| Main Entry: | forbid |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | outlaw, prohibit an action |
| Synonyms: | ban, block, cancel, censor, check, debar, declare illegal, deny, deprive, disallow, embargo, enjoin, exclude, forestall, forfend, freeze*, halt, hinder, hold up, impede, inhibit, interdict, lock up, nix, obstruct, obviate, oppose, preclude, prevent, proscribe, put the chill on, restrain, restrict, rule out, say no, shut down, shut out, spike*, stop, stymie*, taboo*, veto, withhold |
| Antonyms: | allow, approve, authorize, permit, sanction |
| Main Entry: | frustrate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | thwart, disappoint |
| Synonyms: | annul, arrest, baffle, balk, bar, beat, block, cancel, check, circumvent, confront, conquer, counter, counteract, cramp, cramp one's style, crimp, dash, dash one's hope, defeat, depress, discourage, dishearten, foil, forbid, forestall, foul up, give the run around, halt, hang up, hinder, hold up, impede, inhibit, lick, negate, neutralize, nullify, obstruct, obviate, outwit, overcome, preclude, prevent, prohibit, render null and void, ruin, stump, stymie*, upset the applecart |
| Antonyms: | aid, assist, cooperate, encourage, facilitate, help, support |
| Main Entry: | obviate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make unnecessary |
| Synonyms: | anticipate, avert, block, counter, counteract, deter, do away with, forestall, forfend, hinder, interfere, interpose, intervene, preclude, prevent, remove, restrain, rule out, stave off, ward |
| Antonyms: | allow, help, permit |
| Main Entry: | parry |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | ward off, circumvent |
| Synonyms: | anticipate, avoid, block, bypass, deflect, dodge, duck*, elude, en garde, evade, fence, fend off, forestall, hold at bay, preclude, prevent, rebuff, rebuke, repel, repulse, resist, shirk, shun, sidestep, stave off |
| Antonyms: | deal with, face, meet |
| Main Entry: | preclude |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | inhibit; make impossible |
| Synonyms: | avert, cease, check, debar, deter, discontinue, exclude, forestall, forfend, hinder, impede, interrupt, make impracticable, obviate, prevent, prohibit, put a stop to, quit, restrain, rule out, stave off, stop, ward |
| Antonyms: | allow, permit, support |
| Main Entry: | prevent |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | keep from happening or continuing |
| Synonyms: | anticipate, arrest, avert, avoid, baffle, balk, bar, block, check, chill*, cool, cork, counter, counteract, dam, debar, defend against, foil, forbid, forestall, forfend, frustrate, halt, hamper, head off, hinder, hold back, hold off, impede, inhibit, intercept, interdict, interrupt, keep lid on, limit, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, preclude, prohibit, put a stop to, put an end to, repress, restrain, restrict, retard, rule out, shut out, stave off, stop, thwart, turn aside, ward off |
| Antonyms: | aid, allow, assist, cause, help, let go |