preclude
verb
pre·clude
| \ pri-ˈklüd
\
\
precluded;
precluding
Definition of preclude
1
: to make impossible by necessary consequence : rule out in advance
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Other Words from preclude
preclusion
\ pri-ˈklü-zhən
\
noun
\
noun
preclusive
\ pri-ˈklü-siv
, -ziv \
adjective
, -ziv \
adjective
preclusively
adverb
Synonyms for preclude
Synonyms
avert, forestall, head off, help, obviate, prevent, stave off
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Examples of preclude in a Sentence
I fear these things, but vaguely, for my brain buzzes in the merciful wash of endorphins that preclude any thought from occupying it too long.
— Louise Erdrich, Harper's, May 1993
… the institution [of slavery] in the United States was almost uniquely despotic, a closed system so powerful and totalitarian that organized insurrection was almost entirely precluded …
— William Styron, American Heritage, October 1992
But conceptual blinders can preclude observation, while most accurate generalities guarantee no proper resolution of specific anatomies, but can certainly guide perceptions along fruitful paths.
— Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
… the same profusion of water that precluded overland travel in the summer months could, during the sledgehammer freeze of winter, be utilized as a natural highway—albeit a highway of ice.
— Jon Krakauer, Smithsonian, November 1987
She suffered an injury that precluded the possibility of an athletic career.
Bad weather precluded any further attempts to reach the summit.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Arch has been careful to emphasize the higher spending shouldn’t preclude continued payouts to shareholders. — Washington Post, "A Coal Miner’s Less-Is-More Lesson for Oil Frackers," 9 Sep. 2019 This would preclude the number of armed personnel, if any. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Columbine High School’s future; A vote to diminish your vote; Artistic interpretation (6/12/19)," 12 June 2019 In many cases, their N.D.A. precludes them from even talking about the work. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "The Underworld of Online Content Moderation," 5 July 2019 The British government has been more cautious about characterizing talks with U.S. officials on trade, pointing to E.U. rules that preclude members from signing bilateral trade agreements while part of the European bloc. — NBC News, "U.S. and U.K. work towards post-Brexit trade deals," 13 Aug. 2019 But the agreement did not include language that precluded Barclays from footing the bill. — Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica, "How Trump’s Political Appointees Overruled Tougher Settlements With Big Banks," 4 Aug. 2019 Also, a previous Grammy nom as a performer precludes eligibility in the best new artist category. — Paul Grein, Billboard, "At 2020 Grammys, Who Could Be Billie Eilish's Competition for Best New Artist?," 1 Aug. 2019 Speaking with Starnes, Gidley claimed the president enacts policies without regard to a person's background, and Sharpton's history should preclude others from listening to him on the matter. — Fox News, "Hogan Gidley says Trump critics shouldn't be taking cues from Al Sharpton amid Cummings row," 30 July 2019 That could hurt Bonnen with other Republicans who are unhappy about the warning, which precludes them from campaigning against the Democrats gunning to take the House for the first time since 2003. — James Barragán, Dallas News, "Hardline GOP activist says Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen wanted him to target certain Republicans," 26 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preclude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for preclude
preclude
verb
English Language Learners Definition of preclude
formal
: to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
: to prevent (someone) from doing something
See the full definition for preclude in the English Language Learners Dictionary
preclude
transitive verb
pre·clude
| \ pri-ˈklüd
\
\
precluded;
precluding
Legal Definition of preclude
: to prevent or exclude by necessary consequence: as
a
: to prevent (a party) from litigating an action or claim especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata
they are precluded only because they failed to assert…the grounds for recovery they now assert — Roach v. Teamsters Local Union No. 688, 595 F.2d 446 (1979)
b
: to prevent (a claim or action) from being litigated especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata
the Civil Service Reform Act provides the exclusive address for adverse federal employment actions and thus precludes claims brought under the Tort Claims Act — National Law Journal
Other Words from preclude
preclusion
\ -ˈklü-zhən
\
noun
\
noun
preclusive
\ -ˈklü-siv
\
adjective
\
adjective
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