FORESTALL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'forestall' differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and prevent are common synonyms of forestall . While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course. // hoped to forestall the sale

Q: When can 'anticipate' be used instead of 'forestall'?

The synonyms anticipate and forestall are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first. // anticipated the question by making a statement

Q: Where would 'prevent' be a reasonable alternative to 'forestall'?

While in some cases nearly identical to forestall , prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable. // measures taken to prevent leaks

forestall

verb

fȯr-ˈstȯl

Definition of forestall next

as in to prevent

to keep from happening by taking action in advance you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly

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How does the verb forestall differ from other similar words?

The words anticipate and prevent are common synonyms of forestall. While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.

hoped to forestall the sale

When can anticipate be used instead of forestall?

The synonyms anticipate and forestall are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first.

anticipated the question by making a statement

Where would prevent be a reasonable alternative to forestall?

While in some cases nearly identical to forestall, prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

measures taken to prevent leaks

Examples 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 forestall The question now is whether the post-Paris fabric of international climate cooperation is still resilient enough to forestall the irreversible symptoms of an overheating planet. —

Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024 If Trump loses the election in just a couple of weeks, some of the Constitutional Sheriffs are prepared to take drastic action and some see forestalling his defeat as their duty. —

Leah Feiger, WIRED, 24 Oct. 2024 Well, because there was an organization called True the Vote that did so, and they were not smacked down, but they were forestalled from being as aggressive. —

Leah Feiger, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 One such investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department, which threatened retroactive tariffs on solar imports of up to 250 percent, threw American solar buyers into turmoil, and in June 2022, President Joe Biden was forced to issue an executive order forestalling any tariffs for the next two years. —

Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for forestall