Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Preclude: meaning, definitions and examples

🚫
Add to dictionary

preclude

 

[prɪˈkluːd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in legal context

Preclude means to prevent something from happening or make it impossible. It is often used in legal contexts to describe a situation where something is legally blocked or made impossible.

Synonyms

hinder, impede, obstruct, prevent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
preclude

Formal situations where you need to express that something makes another thing impossible.

  • The high cost precludes the possibility of buying a new house
  • His criminal record precludes him from getting a job in law enforcement
prevent

General use to describe stopping something from happening.

  • Wearing a seatbelt can prevent injuries
  • They are taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus
hinder

General use in everyday language to describe something that slows down or makes progress difficult.

  • Heavy traffic can hinder your commute to work
  • His lack of experience hindered his performance
obstruct

Situations where something physically blocks the way or metaphorically stands in the way of progress.

  • A fallen tree obstructed the road
  • The opposition party tried to obstruct the new legislation
impede

Formal or semi-formal contexts, used to indicate something that slows down a process or makes it difficult.

  • The new regulations might impede the progress of the project
  • Bad weather can impede rescue efforts

Examples of usage

  • The new evidence may preclude a retrial in this case.
  • His criminal record precluded him from getting a job in law enforcement.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'praecludere,' which means to shut off or exclude.
  • It combines 'prae,' meaning before, and 'claudere,' meaning to close.
  • The term has been used in English since the 15th century, maintaining its original meaning of preventing.

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, preclusion can refer to a doctrine preventing a person from asserting a claim or right that contradicts prior judgments.
  • There are two types of preclusion: claim preclusion (res judicata) and issue preclusion (collateral estoppel).
  • It helps to ensure that disputes are resolved efficiently by preventing repeated litigation.

Literature

  • In literature, authors often preclude certain events or outcomes to maintain suspense, creating tension in storytelling.
  • Foreshadowing can act as a literary device that precludes certain developments, hinting at future events.
  • In Shakespearean plays, characters often take actions that preclude a set of possible outcomes, highlighting the tragic flaws.

Science

  • Certain biological processes can preclude the survival of species, shaping the evolution of ecosystems.
  • In chemistry, the reaction of substances can be precluded if the necessary conditions, like temperature and pressure, are not met.
  • Medical interventions sometimes preclude complications from diseases, emphasizing preventive health measures.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss preclusion in the context of determinism, questioning whether certain outcomes can be avoided.
  • The idea of precluding options is important in ethics, especially when considering moral dilemmas.
  • Existentialist discussions often tackle how individual choices preclude other life paths, influencing one's identity and existence.

Translations

Translations of the word "preclude" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impedir

🇮🇳 रोकना

🇩🇪 verhindern

🇮🇩 mencegah

🇺🇦 запобігати

🇵🇱 uniemożliwiać

🇯🇵 防ぐ (ふせぐ)

🇫🇷 empêcher

🇪🇸 impedir

🇹🇷 önlemek

🇰🇷 막다

🇸🇦 يمنع

🇨🇿 zabránit

🇸🇰 zabrániť

🇨🇳 阻止 (zǔzhǐ)

🇸🇮 preprečiti

🇮🇸 koma í veg fyrir

🇰🇿 болдырмау

🇬🇪 აღკვეთა

🇦🇿 qarşısını almaq

🇲🇽 impedir

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,169 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.