preventive 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈven-tiv How to pronounce preventive (audio)
Definition of preventivenext
as in preventative
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening if you start taking this preventive medicine now, you may not get sick after all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preventive

2 of 2

noun

as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury if people took the simple preventive of frequently washing their hands, the spread of germs could be greatly reduced

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 preventive
Adjective
Maintaining healthy eating habits (60%), taking supplements or vitamins (58%), and keeping up with preventive screenings and check-ups (52%) also ranked highly. — Sarah Garone, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026 Memorial, for example, opened a primary care center a few years ago in Northwest Miami-Dade, near Hialeah and Miami Lakes, after seeing a big need for preventive and specialty care in an area that is home to more than 500,000 people. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives. — Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023 But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for preventive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventive
  1. preventative
  2. precaution
Adjective
  • At Tuesday’s meeting, 11 people voiced their distaste for data centers and fought for a preventative measure against them.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Taking a few preventative measures during heat waves can help dahlias stay hydrated and upright.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of preventative
Noun
  • Now a 6-year-old girl and a grandmother are both being treated for rabies as a precaution.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The children, who police believe are Moore’s, were taken to a children’s hospital as a precaution and will undergo forensic interviews as the investigation continues.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of precaution

Browse Nearby Words

prevention
preventive
preventives
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Cite this Entry

“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventive. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preventive

Nglish: Translation of preventive for Spanish Speakers

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