Meaning

(transitive) To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
2. (transitive) To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
3. (archaic) To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
4. To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
5. To deprive (with of).
6. (UK, law) To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.
7. (obsolete or historical) An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
8. Something situated or placed in front.

Example Sentences

Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.

The Act of 1846 also authorised a branch from the village of Broughty Ferry on the D. & A. to the pier at Broughty Ferry Castle. This action was taken to forestall the Edinburgh & Northern Railway, which had acquired the ferry between Ferryport-on-Craig (Tayport from July, 1851) and Broughty Ferry, and had hopes of a connecting railway on the north side of the Tay.

In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.

What need a man forestall his date of grief, / And run to meet what he would most avoid?

She insisted on doing her share of the offices needful to the sick. She arranged his bed so that it was possible to change the sheet without disturbing him. She washed him. […] She did not speak to him much, but she was quick to forestall his wants.

All the better; may / This night forestall him of the coming day!

Word Forms

• forestalls
• forestalling
• forestalled
• foresteal
• forsteal
• forestal

Synonyms for forestall

Related Words

When Should You Use Forestall?

Use forestall when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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