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 According to Lupo, cost is the single biggest factor preventing California’s major cities from placing high. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Although dates are naturally high in sugar, their fiber can slow digestion, preventing sugar from being absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026 Medical experts say a thorough screening is critical to preventing deaths. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 There’s also an RFID-blocking card included, designed to protect against electronic pickpocketing by preventing unauthorized scans of your bank cards and passport data. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 This is where structure matters, creating discipline and preventing organizations from pursuing every attractive opportunity while losing sight of their core identity. — Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Milby said solving and preventing these crimes requires that local, state and federal authorities work together seamlessly. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Then there was the constant push-and-pull-and-push between reducing latency, maintaining picture quality and preventing re-buffering. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The ability to monitor and identify unwanted behavior by AI agents in real-time or near real-time is critical to preventing another breach like this—perhaps one with even more serious consequences, such as an attack on a bank or hospital. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventing
  1. averting
  2. precluding
  3. avoiding
Verb
  • The settlement was reached during a California federal trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users.
    — Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The first step in averting this spiral toward catastrophe is for both Beijing and Washington to bear in mind that these economic tools were not designed as weapons.
    — GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 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
  • Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Officials annually emphasize boating safety, wearing life jackets and being aware of conditions, especially rip currents, and avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages when venturing out on the water.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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