| Preclude 1. (v.) To put a barrier before; to prevent; to hinder; to stop; to impede. 2. (v.) To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation. Thesaurus Entries anticipate, avert, avoid, ban, bar, bar out, block, blockade, cease, check, count out, cut off, debar, deflect, deny, deter, disallow, discontinue, discourage, dishearten, embargo, enjoin, estop, exclude, exclude from, fend, fend off, forbid, foreclose, forestall, freeze out, frustrate, help, hinder, ignore, impede, inhibit, interdict, interfere with, keep from, keep off, keep out, leave out, lock out, obstruct, obviate, omit, ostracize, outlaw, pass over, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, quit, refuse, reject, relegate, repel, repress, repudiate, rule out, save, say no to, send to Coventry, shut out, stave off, stop, suppress, taboo, thwart, turn aside, ward, ward off | ![]() |