Word
forestall
Phoneticsfore·stall, stress on the second syllable
US/fɔɹˈstɔɫ/
UK/fɔːstˈɔːl/
Definition
v. to stop something bad from happening by acting early. You do something now to prevent a problem later.
v. to prevent or hinder an anticipated event by acting in advance. Implies timely intervention to block an unwanted outcome.
Examples
“She drinks water early to forestall a headache.”
“The company hired extra staff to forestall delays during the busy holiday season.”
“Diplomats rushed to forestall a wider conflict by brokering a ceasefire before border skirmishes could escalate into full war.”
Examples
simple
“She drinks water early to forestall a headache.”
contextual
“The company hired extra staff to forestall delays during the busy holiday season.”
complex
“Diplomats rushed to forestall a wider conflict by brokering a ceasefire before border skirmishes could escalate into full war.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “forestall” in context.
Verb
01. forestall crisis
“Prompt intervention forestalled a full-scale banking crisis.”
verb + noun
02. forestall criticism
“The company published data early to forestall criticism over transparency.”
verb + noun
03. forestall defeat
“A late tactical change forestalled certain defeat for the home side.”
verb + noun
04. forestall disaster
“The crew shut down the reactor to forestall disaster.”
verb + noun
05. forestall opposition
“Ministers amended the bill to forestall opposition in parliament.”
verb + noun
06. help forestall
“Early rate cuts helped forestall a deeper recession.”
verb + verb
Noun
07. attempt to forestall
“His apology was a clear attempt to forestall disciplinary action.”
noun + to + verb
08. bid to forestall
“A ceasefire was proposed in a bid to forestall further violence.”
noun + to + verb
09. effort to forestall
“Stockpiling medicine was part of an effort to forestall shortages.”
noun + to + verb
10. act to forestall criticism
“The council acted to forestall criticism by publishing expenses online.”
11. in a bid to forestall
“In a bid to forestall defeat, the coach changed tactics at half-time.”
12. move to forestall disaster
“Authorities moved to forestall disaster by evacuating coastal towns early.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday in a widely expected move to forestall risks of inflation overshooting its 2% inflation target.” “A US judge on Tuesday dismissed an antitrust lawsuit in which Michigan accused four major oil companies of colluding to forestall competition in renewable energy, including electric vehicles, a decision in line with prior rulings in similar cases.” “U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday he expects to meet next week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to try to forestall an escalation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that President Donald Trump said was unsustainable.” “Archegos Capital Management LP made a last-ditch effort to falsely persuade banks its survival was not at stake in an unsuccessful bid to forestall the sudden collapse of the $36 billion private investment firm, U.S. prosecutors said.” Etymology
From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + steall (“position”), equivalent to fore- + stall.
From Middle English forstal, from Old English foresteall (“an intervention, hindrance (of justice), ambush, assault, offence of waylaying on the highway, fine for such an offence, resistance, opposition”), equivalent to fore- + stall.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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