Prevent: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when you want to stop something from happening before it starts.

• We need to vaccinate people to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Lock the doors to prevent theft.

Use when you want to bring something to an end.

• Stop the car immediately!
• They stopped the game because of the rain.

Use when you want to stay away from something or make sure it does not affect you.

• She took a different route to avoid the traffic.
• He avoided answering the question.

Use when you want to indicate that something is making progress slow or difficult.

• The heavy rain hindered the construction work.
• Her lack of experience hindered her advancement in the company.

Use when you want to indicate that you are preventing someone from achieving a goal, usually deliberately. It often has a negative or stronger connotation.

• The security forces thwarted the terrorist attack.
• His plans to become a musician were thwarted by his parents.

Use when taking action to stop something from happening before it occurs.

• We need to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus
• She took measures to prevent accidents in the workplace

Use to officially ban something by law, rule, or other authority. This word generally conveys a formal or legal restriction.

• Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings
• The new law prohibits the sale of fireworks in residential areas

Use to express strong prohibition, often used with authority or power over someone. This word can have a negative connotation.

• The principal forbids students from using their phones during class
• Her parents forbid her to stay out past midnight

Use when something physically blocks the way or progress of something else.

• A fallen tree obstructed the road after the storm
• His large figure obstructed her view of the stage

Use when formally or officially stopping someone from doing something or from entering a place. This word can have a legal or formal connotation.

• The club bars entry to anyone under the age of 21
• He was barred from practicing law after the scandal

Useful when talking about stopping something from happening, often related to health, safety, or unwanted events.

• We need to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Proper diet and exercise can prevent many health issues.

Typically used when talking about measures or policies put in place to protect something, often more formal or procedural.

• New laws were introduced to safeguard the rights of workers.
• It is important to safeguard personal data from theft.

Generally used to describe the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm or danger, often in broader, more general contexts than 'defence'.

• Wearing a helmet provides protection when riding a bike.
• The insurance offers financial protection against natural disasters.

Commonly used in legal or military contexts to describe the act of protecting against an attack or criticism.

• The country's defence budget has increased this year.
• In court, the defence lawyer argued that his client was innocent.