Meanings
comparative more preventative · superlative most preventative
- alternativeAlternative form of preventive.
1968, G. Anthony Wedge, N. A. P.: New American Party, Geddes Press Printers (1968), p. 155, "Preventative defense comes in two flavors […]"
2 more examples
1920, Lillien Jane Martin, Mental hygiene: two years' experience of a clinical psychologist, Warwick &York (1920), p. 78, "That part of mental hygiene which has a prophylactic character falls into two classes, group preventative mental hygiene […]"
2006, Robert Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, Repairing & Upgrading Your PC, O'Reilly (2006), p. 70, "The goals of preventative maintenance are to reduce the likelihood of hardware failures, […]"
plural preventatives
- alternativeAlternative form of preventive.
The seeds and roots of the water lily are likewise considered a preventative against lechery.
1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 16Synonyms: prophylactic
Synonyms & antonyms
More synonyms by meaning
adjectivetending to prevent or hinder
adjectivepreventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
nounremedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
nounany obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
nounan agent or device intended to prevent conception
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Cite this entry
preventative. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preventative
“preventative.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preventative. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “preventative,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preventative.
Source: preventative on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.