forestall
/fɔː(ɹ)ˈstɔːl/
Group 8Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To prevent or obstruct something anticipated by taking action in advance GRE
Example in Context
The central bank cut interest rates in an attempt to forestall the recession that economic indicators had been predicting for months.
Synonyms
preventblockhead off
Etymology
Stopping something before it happens.
- fore- (Old English) — before
- stall (Old English) — to stop
Memory Aid
🚫Sounds like “for stall”
I put a STOP sign FOR the STALL before it could even begin!
Visual Association
🛑A traffic light turning red just as a car races toward an intersection, halting its advance.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “forestall” mean on the GRE?
forestall (verb) means “To prevent or obstruct something anticipated by taking action in advance”. The central bank cut interest rates in an attempt to forestall the recession that economic indicators had been predicting for months.
How to remember “forestall” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “forestall” sounds like “for stall”. I put a STOP sign FOR the STALL before it could even begin!
What are synonyms for “forestall”?
Common synonyms: prevent, block, head off.