pre·ven·tive (pr -v n tv) also pre·ven·ta·tive (-t -tv)adj. 1. Intended or used to prevent or hinder; acting as an obstacle: preventive measures. 2. Carried out to deter expected aggression by hostile forces. 3. Preventing or slowing the course of an illness or disease; prophylactic: preventive medicine; preventive health care. n. 1. Something that prevents; an obstacle. 2. Something that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease. pre·ven tive·ly adv.pre·ven tive·ness n. |
preventive
Adjective
1. intended to prevent or hinder
2. Med tending to prevent disease
Noun
1. something that serves to prevent
2. Med any drug or agent that tends to prevent disease Also: (preventative)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  preventive - remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives" |
| 2. | preventive - any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome clog - any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction impedimenta, obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment - any structure that makes progress difficult speed bump - a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway | |
| 3. |  preventive - an agent or device intended to prevent conceptioncervical cap - a contraceptive device consisting of a small thimble-shaped cup that is placed over the uterine cervix to prevent the entrance of spermatozoa coil - a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb condom, prophylactic, safe, rubber, safety - contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" contraceptive diaphragm, pessary, diaphragm - a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix intrauterine device, IUD - contraceptive device consisting of a piece of bent plastic or metal that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus morning-after pill - a large dose of estrogen taken orally within 24 to 72 hours after intercourse; prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum and so acts as a contraceptive; commonly used after rape or incest anovulant, anovulatory drug, birth control pill, contraceptive pill, oral contraceptive, oral contraceptive pill, pill - a contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception spermatocide, spermicide - a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa | |
| Adj. | 1. | preventive - preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug" healthful - conducive to good health of body or mind; "a healthful climate"; "a healthful environment"; "healthful nutrition"; "healthful sleep"; "Dickens's relatively healthful exuberance" |
| 2. | preventive - tending to prevent or hinder protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" permissive - not preventive |
preventive or preventative
adjective 1. precautionary, protective, hampering, hindering, deterrent, impeding, pre-emptive, obstructive, inhibitory
adjective 2. prophylactic, protective, precautionary, counteractive
USAGE In all contexts, preventive is commoner than, and generally used in preference to, preventative.
Translations
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