Forestalled: meaning, definitions and examples

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forestalled

 

[ fɔːrˈstɔːl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

preventing action

To forestall means to prevent something from happening by taking action in advance. This word often implies taking measures or steps to anticipate and mitigate a potential event or outcome. It is commonly used in contexts where proactive measures are needed to avert an undesirable situation. The term can be applied in various fields such as business, law, and personal decision-making.

Synonyms

avert, hinder, preempt, prevent

Examples of usage

  • The company forestalled potential losses by diversifying its investment portfolio.
  • She forestalled any objections by presenting clear evidence upfront.
  • The government took steps to forestall a financial crisis with new policies.

Translations

Translations of the word "forestalled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prevenido

🇮🇳 रोकना

🇩🇪 vorweggenommen

🇮🇩 dihentikan

🇺🇦 попереджений

🇵🇱 zapobiegany

🇯🇵 先取りされた

🇫🇷 prévenu

🇪🇸 previsto

🇹🇷 önlenmiş

🇰🇷 미리 방지된

🇸🇦 مُسبَق

🇨🇿 předcházeno

🇸🇰 predchádzajúce

🇨🇳 预防

🇸🇮 preprečeno

🇮🇸 fyrirbyggt

🇰🇿 алдын ала алынған

🇬🇪 წინასწარ აღებული

🇦🇿 qarşısı alınmış

🇲🇽 previsto

Etymology

The word 'forestall' originates from Middle English 'forstallen', which means 'to prevent or hinder'. It comes from the Old English 'for', meaning 'before', and 'stall', meaning 'to place' or 'to stop'. Initially, it referred to the act of stopping something before it occurred, particularly in the context of hunting, where hunters would attempt to forestall their prey. Over time, the meaning expanded to include a broader range of preventative actions across various contexts. The word has been used since the 14th century and has maintained its relevance in modern English, especially in legal and business discussions.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,264, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.