English dictionary



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English adjective: preventative

1. preventative tending to prevent or hinder


Synonymspreventive


Similarblockading, clogging, deterrent, frustrating, frustrative, hindering, impeding, obstructive, obviating, pre-emptive, precautional, precautionary, preclusive, preemptive, prohibitive, prohibitory, thwarting


See alsoprotective


Antonymspermissive

2. preventative preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease


SamplesPreventive medicine.
Vaccines are prophylactic.
A prophylactic drug.


Synonymspreventive, prophylactic


Similarhealthful


Antonymsunhealthful


English noun: preventative

1. preventative (artifact) remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease


SamplesThe doctor recommended several preventatives.


Synonymspreventive, prophylactic


Broader (hypernym)curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic

2. preventative (artifact) any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome


Synonymsencumbrance, hinderance, hindrance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventive


Broader (hypernym)impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor


Narrower (hyponym)clog, speed bump

3. preventative (artifact) an agent or device intended to prevent conception


Synonymsbirth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, preventive, prophylactic device


Broader (hypernym)device


Narrower (hyponym)anovulant, anovulatory drug, birth control pill, cervical cap, coil, condom, contraceptive diaphragm, contraceptive pill, diaphragm, intrauterine device, IUD, morning-after pill, oral contraceptive, oral contraceptive pill, pessary, pill, prophylactic, rubber, safe, safety, spermatocide, spermicide









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