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
Sutter County Public Health has contacted the child’s parents regarding preventive treatment. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 Many have decided to do so, and preventive surgeries have reduced cancer mortality for thousands of women. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 2 Oct. 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
  • These appointments focus on urgent relief, but appointments and follow-ups that take a more preventative approach to identify underlying causes are available, too.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Kerry is an example; thanks to preventative screening, doctors found a nodule in her lung that ended up being cancerous.
    — Tara Molina, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of preventative
Noun
  • Following the incident, Six Flags temporarily closed similar attractions at other parks as a precaution, the company confirmed to local outlet WSB-TV.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • An airport spokesperson said six flights were delayed and two inbound flights were diverted to other airports as a precaution.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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