forestall

[fohr-stawl, fawr-]

verb (used with object)

1. to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance.

   to forestall a riot by deploying police.

   Synonyms: obstruct, intercept, obviate, preclude

2. to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.

   Synonyms: avert, prevent

3. to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.

4. to prevent sales at (a fair, market, etc.) by buying up or diverting goods.

forestall

/ fɔːˈstɔːl /

verb

1. to delay, stop, or guard against beforehand

2. to anticipate

3. 1. to prevent or hinder sales at (a market, etc) by buying up merchandise in advance, etc

   2. to buy up (merchandise) for profitable resale Compare corner

Other Word Forms

• forestalment noun
• forestaller noun
• forestallment noun
• unforestalled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestall¹

1350–1400; Middle English forstallen, verbal derivative of forstalle, Old English foresteall intervention (to defeat justice), waylaying. See fore-, stall ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestall¹

C14 forestallen to waylay, from Old English foresteall an ambush, from fore- in front of + steall place

Example Sentences

Defendants will come under greater pressure to forestall lawsuits by scurrying to reach licensing deals with writers, musicians and artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Given the abandonment of policy that might forestall more severe events like the Texas floods by reducing the emissions that cause them, Americans are left to the daunting task of adapting.

From Salon

So this was largely a case of harm forestalled rather than harm halted: implementation is easier in such cases, as no ‘making good’ is required.

From Salon

No one was talking about landmarking Stonewall then, but the city’s designation of the Village helped forestall various proposals to raze the building.

From New York Times

McMahon’s ruling may also undermine what has been a growing trend toward the licensing of copyrighted content by AI developers — in part to forestall copyright infringement claims.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anticipate 
• avert 
• deter 
• hinder 
• preclude 
• prevent 
• thwart