forestall

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'empêcher ou de faire échouer un événement ou une action attendue en prenant des mesures préalables.

A verb used to indicate the act of preventing or obstructing an anticipated event or action by taking advance measures.

1. Prevent or hinderC1formal

   To prevent something from happening by taking action in advance.

   Prévenir, empêcher

   • The government took measures to forestall an economic crisis.
   • She tried to forestall any criticism by explaining her reasoning.
   • The quick response forestalled a potential disaster.

   Synonymesavertimpedeobviateprecludepreemptpreventthwart

   Antonymesabetaidallowassistencouragefacilitatehelppermitpromotesupport

2. Anticipate and actC1formal

   To act before someone else in order to prevent them from doing something.

   Prévenir en anticipant

   • He forestalled his opponent by making the first move.
   • The company forestalled a takeover by buying back its shares.
   • They forestalled the competition by releasing the product early.

   Synonymesanticipateaverthead offobviateprecludepreemptpreventstave offward off

   Antonymesallowencourageexpeditepermitprompt