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Word a Day

forestall

verb · Level 3 · Advanced

What does forestall mean?

forestall (verb): to prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where does forestall come from?

From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are synonyms of forestall?

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “forestall”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “forestall” mean?

to repeal, annul, or declare void; to take (something such as a rule or contract) out of effect

Not quite: that's what rescind means.

to make a sound from the vocal cords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed

Not quite: that's what hum means.

to prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert

Right! That's what “forestall” means.

to cause the manifestation of something (emotion, picture, etc.) in someone's mind or imagination

Not quite: that's what evoke means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “forestall”?

warrant

Not quite: warrant means something else.

prevent

Right!

qualify

Not quite: qualify means something else.

deposit

Not quite: deposit means something else.

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