forestall
verb
fore·stall fȯr-ˈstȯl 
forestalled; forestalling; forestalls
transitive verb
1
: to exclude, hinder, or prevent (something) by prior occupation or measures
Negotiations failed to forestall the conflict.
2
: to get ahead of (something) : anticipate
detailed explanations intended to forestall questions
3
: to prevent the normal trading in (something) by buying or diverting goods or by persuading people to raise prices
… forestalling the wheat harvest and selling it at three times its cost …
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw4
archaic : intercept
… he sprang like a cat to the top of the cabin and ran aft. But his pursuers forestalling him, he doubled back across the cabin … Jack London
Jack London5
obsolete : obstruct, beset
forestaller noun
forestallment
fȯr-ˈstȯl-mənt
noun 
Synonyms
- avert
- head off
- help
- obviate
- preclude
- prevent
- stave off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Negotiations failed to forestall the conflict. His comments were meant to forestall criticism of his proposal. He forestalled critics by offering a defense of the project.
Recent Examples on the Web But a rebound in energy prices because of the war in Ukraine or other factors could forestall any sustained improvement in inflation. Jon Hilsenrath, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 Two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence testified to the federal grand jury in the case last week, and prosecutors have issued subpoenas and search warrants to a growing number of figures tied to Trump and the campaign to forestall his loss. BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 Two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence testified to the federal grand jury in the case last week, and prosecutors have issued subpoenas and search warrants to a growing number of figures tied to Mr. Trump and the campaign to forestall his loss. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Russian leaders must make good their losses, fast, in order to forestall a more forceful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south. David Axe, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Earlier in the pandemic, experts thought that immunity from vaccination or previous infection would forestall most reinfections. New York Times, 16 May 2022 This solution would forestall the need for transgender women to take hormone-suppressing drugs. New York Times, 29 May 2022 Clarifying the responsibilities of the joint session members and the vice president during the transition would help forestall similar crises in the future. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 7 June 2022 The policy will protect any panels delivered during that window, which officials hope will jumpstart deliveries and forestall the cancellation of solar construction projects. Tim Mcdonnell, Quartz, 6 June 2022 See More
Jon Hilsenrath, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 Two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence testified to the federal grand jury in the case last week, and prosecutors have issued subpoenas and search warrants to a growing number of figures tied to Trump and the campaign to forestall his loss. BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 Two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence testified to the federal grand jury in the case last week, and prosecutors have issued subpoenas and search warrants to a growing number of figures tied to Mr. Trump and the campaign to forestall his loss. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Russian leaders must make good their losses, fast, in order to forestall a more forceful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south. David Axe, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Earlier in the pandemic, experts thought that immunity from vaccination or previous infection would forestall most reinfections. New York Times, 16 May 2022 This solution would forestall the need for transgender women to take hormone-suppressing drugs. New York Times, 29 May 2022 Clarifying the responsibilities of the joint session members and the vice president during the transition would help forestall similar crises in the future. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 7 June 2022 The policy will protect any panels delivered during that window, which officials hope will jumpstart deliveries and forestall the cancellation of solar construction projects. Tim Mcdonnell, Quartz, 6 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from forstall act of waylaying, from Old English foresteall, from fore- + steall position, stall
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
forestall
verb
fore·stall fȯr-ˈstȯl
forestalled; forestalling
: to keep out, interfere with, or prevent by steps taken in advance
forestalling problems
forestall
verb
as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance you can often forestall skidding on the ice simply by driving more slowly Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- prevent
- avert
- preclude
- avoid
- obviate
- provide
- help
- anticipate
- escape
- head off
- thwart
- neutralize
- deter
- nullify
- evade
- hinder
- impede
- stave off
- counteract
- deflect
- save
- hamper
- shun
- prohibit
- negate
- retard
- frustrate
- checkmate
- eschew
- foil
- elude
- shake
- offset
- forbid
- counterbalance
- circumvent
- balk
- stall
- inhibit
- stop
- block
- halt
- baffle
- stop
- dodge
- arrest
- check
- shirk
- interfere (with)
- ward (off)
- fend (off)
- bar
- duck
- make up (for)
- compensate (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- assist
- facilitate
- aid
- abet
- promote
- encourage
- ease
- advance
- foster
- cultivate
- allow
- forward
- permit
- let
- further
- leave
- smooth
- unclog
- nurture
Synonym Chooser
The words anticipate and prevent are common synonyms of forestall. While all three words mean "to deal with beforehand," forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course.
hoped to forestall the sale
The synonyms anticipate and forestall are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first.
anticipated the question by making a statement
While in some cases nearly identical to forestall, prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.
measures taken to prevent leaks