Forestall    (pronounced fawr-stawl) verb


Definition

1. to frustrate, hinder, block, or prevent (something in its course) by taking measures ahead of time. 2. to act or think of beforehand; get ahead of; anticipate.

Main Example

  • Thomas Kean, the former Republican New Jersey governor who heads the National 9-11 Commission, created a sensation last month when he told CBS and ABC that the Sept. 11 attacks could indeed have been forestalled, had some of the federal agencies not made certain mistakes.

    Workplace Examples

  • We've got to do something to forestall that account receivable from becoming delinquent. Once it becomes uncollectible, it will have a sizable impact on our cash flow and profitability.

  • I notice the new field survey routine is leaving many of you very tired by day's end. Here are some suggestions to forestall such exhaustion: Eat healthy snacks every three hours or so instead of heavy meals; drink lots of fluids; eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Other Examples

  • your having informal one-on-ones with key members of an approval committee to forestall any serious opposition to your upcoming proposal

  • managements at union-free companies strengthening their open-door policies and devising other strategies to forestall unionization of their workers

  • recent studies showing that regular mental exercise is very effective in forestalling Alzheimer's disease

  • the Federal Reserve deciding to keep interest rates at their record lows to forestall the possibility of a deflation

    © 2004 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

    Sisyphean
    Disjunction
    Detritus
    Artful and Inartful
    Embittered
    Dispassionate
    Specter

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