preventing

verb

present participle of prevent
as in averting
to keep from happening by taking action in advance a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preventing These risks are all being taken in service to preventing a consequence that is not real. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 Skeleton screens, subtle button animations and brief progress messages keep an interface clean while still building trust and preventing the frustration of wondering if a click even worked. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Depending on the issuer and your circumstances, your card could be suspended or closed after missing payments, preventing you from making additional purchases. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Of course, there’s no law preventing a nonprofit from choosing to share its internal documents. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 The drama race, at least, is filled with other buzzy shows, but Heated Rivalry‘s Emmys exclusion speaks to a larger issue that’s preventing great work from being celebrated on TV’s biggest night. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 Gutter guards can all but eliminate bi-annual cleanings, paying for themselves within five to 10 years while preventing costly water damage to your home. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 Nearly half of Afghanistan's population lives below the poverty line, according to UNESCO, which said preventing women from studying and working further limits their ability to support their families and contribute to the country's economy. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Menu items are highly customizable, and Baraslou said staff are trained on preventing cross contamination. — Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventing
  1. averting
  2. precluding
  3. avoiding
Verb
  • The lack of a clear outcome meant both sides could claim success, averting escalation.
    — Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • America’s greatest rival is single-handedly averting a global energy crisis.
    — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of averting
Verb
  • The astronauts must be unassigned to other missions, available for flights (for example, by not being on parental leave or on a military assignment), not in a management position precluding their participation, and in the presence of skills relevant to the mission, among other things.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 June 2026
  • When the primary was held in mid-May, only Republican voters - or unaffiliated voters who opted for a GOP ballot - were eligible to weigh in, precluding Cassidy from benefitting from crossover support.
    — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 May 2026
Definition of precluding
Verb
  • McDaniel had his reasons for avoiding supplying his own depth chart beyond not wishing to see it in print or on a website or TV network.
    — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Now some pregnant women and others are avoiding health centers for fear of the virus, at risk to their lives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoiding

Browse Nearby Words

prevented
preventing
prevention
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Cite this Entry

“Preventing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventing. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preventing

Nglish: Translation of preventing for Spanish Speakers

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