as in preventive
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
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as in insurance
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Recent Examples of preventative
Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 9 Apr. 2026
People without health insurance tend to seek less preventative treatment, become sick more frequently, and die younger than do people with insurance.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 30 Dec. 2025
This includes enough food, water, prescription medications, and heartworm and flea/tick preventatives to last at least five days.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Adjective
This measure is mostly preventative and coyotes typically won’t seek a confrontation.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 9 Apr. 2026
People without health insurance tend to seek less preventative treatment, become sick more frequently, and die younger than do people with insurance.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Some doctors also prescribe antivirals as a preventative for people who are at high risk for the virus if they are exposed.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 30 Dec. 2025
This includes enough food, water, prescription medications, and heartworm and flea/tick preventatives to last at least five days.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preventative
Adjective
-
Medical science has blessed our generation with an abundance of preventive methods — including vaccines — and treatments that enable a far greater percentage of us to live longer and healthier lives than our forebears.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Though Mahata said further studies and funding are needed to advance the work, the study introduces a powerful computational and experimental framework to accelerate the discovery of other preventive therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Either could be a key for Vance Joseph and defensive line coach Jamar Cain as soon as this fall or either could be insurance while veteran players chew up almost all of the snaps in Denver’s regular rotation.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But insurance to cover doctor visits has been the most difficult to secure.—
Daniel Chang,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dubious precautions Mounting interest in the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs has led to a rise in psychedelic retreats around the world.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
-
People living in areas with red flag warnings are asked to take extra precautions to avoid accidentally igniting a fire.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preventative. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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