SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
forestall
verb
To prevent or delay something through earlier action.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Prevent by acting early
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topForestall specifically involves earlier action; stave off can emphasize postponement rather than permanent prevention.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See forestall in use
An early repair helped forestall more extensive damage.
To forestall further confusion, the producer sent one confirmed update instead of allowing several different schedules to circulate.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license