preclude
/pɹiːˈkluːd/
Group 11Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To prevent from happening; make impossible GRE
Example in Context
The existing contract precluded the company from partnering with any competitor for a period of five years after the agreement's termination.
Synonyms
preventblockrule out
Etymology
To close off before something happens.
- pre- (Latin) — before
- claudere (Latin) — to close
Memory Aid
🚪Sounds like “pre-clude”
If you PRE-CLUE someone in, they can't come through the door — they are PRECLUDED!
Visual Association
🚫A giant bouncer blocking the entrance to a club, not letting anyone in.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “preclude” mean on the GRE?
preclude (verb) means “To prevent from happening; make impossible”. The existing contract precluded the company from partnering with any competitor for a period of five years after the agreement's termination.
How to remember “preclude” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “preclude” sounds like “pre-clude”. If you PRE-CLUE someone in, they can't come through the door — they are PRECLUDED!
What are synonyms for “preclude”?
Common synonyms: prevent, block, rule out.