as in prevented
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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Recent Examples of forestalled
Perhaps the recent wobble has forestalled such a scenario.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
Many scientists including Barzilai think that the aging process can be modified and that, by doing so, diseases can be forestalled and people can stay healthier for longer.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Giants forestalled the question of whether to keep Melvin at the helm with their impressive run in late August and early September, and that Los Angeles Dodgers series answered it.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forestalled
Verb
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The athletes are not employees in the legal sense and therefore cannot be prevented from leaving for another university.—
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But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Verb
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Aisha kept her eyes respectfully averted.—
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But the crisis has been averted — Rebecca explains that Sarah didn't actually set the real Golden Bag on fire.—
Cite this Entry
“Forestalled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forestalled. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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