preclude
To prevent something from happening or make it impossible
Examples
In a meeting
“Budget constraints preclude hiring additional staff this quarter.”
Over coffee
“My work schedule precludes me from joining the Tuesday night class.”
Why this word
prevent
preclude means making impossible in advance by nature or logic, while prevent is actively stopping something
exclude
preclude means making impossible beforehand, while exclude means leaving out or barring entry
stop
preclude operates by logical or prior necessity, while stop is direct intervention
Usage tip
Use when something definitively blocks a possibility. Stronger and more formal than 'prevent.'
Etymology
Latin 'praecludere' — 'prae' (before) + 'claudere' (to close), meaning to close off in advance
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Related words
preempt
Take action to prevent something before it happens
deter
To discourage someone from taking an action
thwart
To prevent someone from accomplishing something; to block or defeat
prophylactic
Intended to prevent disease or other unwanted consequences
inoculate
To protect against disease or negative influence through preventive treatment
preemptive
Done to prevent something before it happens