prevent

Universal Words verb ~ sb/sth (from doing sth) to stop sb from doing sth; to stop sth from happening: [VN] The accident could have been prevented. * He is prevented by law from holding a licence. * Nothing would prevent him from speaking out against injustice. * The government took steps to prevent a scandal. * [VN-ing] (BrE) Nothing would prevent him / his speaking out against further injustices. [also V-ing] preventable adjective: preventable diseases / accidents