prevents

VERB

keep from happening or continuing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert avoid bar block counter forbid forestall halt hamper hinder impede inhibit limit preclude prohibit put an end to restrain restrict rule out stop thwart ward off

STRONG

anticipate arrest baffle balk check chill cool cork counteract dam debar foil forfend frustrate intercept interdict interrupt obstruct obviate repress retard

WEAK

defend against head off hold back hold off keep lid on nip in the bud put a stop to shut out stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow approve assist continue encourage facilitate forward free help let go open permit promote push release support

STRONG

abet heat liberate warm

WEAK

cause

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

prevents

In the case of young children, the law itself prevents Meta from doing more, company lawyers said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

No 16-year-old should be so strictly confined to a routine that prevents them from actually living their life.

From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026

The foreign emoluments clause prevents the president and other federal officers from accepting “Any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince, or foreign state.”

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026

At extremely high densities, quantum effects can generate powerful pressure that prevents matter from being compressed without limit.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

Imprisonment, they say, now creates far more crime than it prevents, by ripping apart fragile social networks, destroying families, and creating a permanent class of unemployables.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander