forestall Meaning & Definition
What Does Forestall Mean?
Forestall is used as a verb meaning To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert. It is also used to mean To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible. As a noun, it means An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
Forestall in Brief
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //fɔː(ɹ)ˈstɔːl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | preclude, anticipate and prevent |
| Plural | forestalls |
| Verb forms | forestalls, forestalling, forestalled |
Forestall Definition (Verb)
- To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.
- To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.
- To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
- To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
- To deprive (with of).
- 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.
Forestall as a Noun
- An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
- Something situated or placed in front.
Synonyms of Forestall
Forestall synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Forestall
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Forestall in a Sentence
Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.
In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.
Word Forms & Grammar
forestall (third-person singular simple present forestalls, present participle forestalling, simple past and past participle forestalled)
forestall (plural forestalls)
Words That Rhyme With Forestall
Origin of Forestall
Origin 1: From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + steall (“position”), equivalent to fore- + stall.
Origin 2: From Middle English forstal, from Old English foresteall (“an intervention, hindrance (of justice), ambush, assault, offence of waylaying on the highway, fine for such an offence, resistance, opposition”), equivalent to fore- + stall.
How to Pronounce Forestall
Forestall is pronounced //fɔː(ɹ)ˈstɔːl// and has 1 syllable.
Forestall: Your Questions Answered
Is forestall a verb or a noun?
Forestall is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for forestall?
You can replace forestall with words such as preclude, anticipate and prevent. See the full list of forestall synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of forestall?
The plural of forestall is forestalls.
What is the past tense of forestall?
The past tense of forestall is forestalled. The present participle is forestalling.