keep from happening or arising; make impossible; My sense of tact forbids an honest answer; Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project

[ Syn: forestall , foreclose , preclude , forbid ]

stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state; We must prevent the cancer from spreading; His snoring kept me from falling asleep; Keep the child from eating the marbles

[ Syn: keep ]