preventive

noun

an agent or device intended to prevent conception

any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease

adjective

tending to prevent or hinder

preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease

Roots

praepre- · Latin · before, in front venio-vent · Latin · come

Synonyms for preventive

preventativeadj prophylacticn preventionn contraceptiveadj precautionaryadj preclusiveadj deterrentn protectiveadj countermeasuren forestallingn

Synonyms & related words for preventive

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of preventive — including preventative, prophylactic, prevention, contraceptive, precautionary, preclusive. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to preventive

Explore words related to preventive — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include preventiveness, prophylactically, preventively, blockading, prophylaxis, chemoprevention, obviation, prophylaxes. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for preventive

Common synonyms for preventive include preventative, prophylactic, prevention, contraceptive, precautionary, preclusive, deterrent, protective — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does preventive come from?

The word preventive breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: pre-, from Latin prae (“before, in front”); and -vent, from Latin venio (“come”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.