prevents

verb

(transitive) To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).

(intransitive, now rare) To take preventative measures.

(obsolete, transitive) To come before; to precede.

(obsolete, transitive) To outdo, surpass.

(obsolete, transitive) To be beforehand with; to anticipate.

Roots

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

Synonyms & related words for prevents

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Words related to prevents

Explore words related to prevents — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include preclude, preventing, forestall, prevented, forbid, deter, keep, impede. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does prevents come from?

The word prevents 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.