forestalling
Acting before trouble
Forestalling is preventing or obstructing something by acting in advance.
You forestall an objection by addressing it before it's raised, or forestall a crisis by intervening early: She forestalled criticism by acknowledging the project's flaws upfront.
The word implies strategic anticipation—heading something off rather than merely preparing for it.
Preventing by action
- thwartingObstructing intended outcomes
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- interdictionAuthoritative prohibition or blockade
preclusion · circumvention · counteraction · heading off · warding off · staving off · shutting down · cutting off
Blocking forward motion
- hinderingCreating obstacles to progress
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- blockingImpeding forward progress
bottlenecking · holding up · slowing down · interference · disruption · obstruction · barricading · chokepoint
Acting to prevent another's action
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- predictionForecast of coming events
- forethoughtPlanning before acting
expectation · forecasting · prescience · premonition · preparedness · readiness · planning · intuition
Skillful directional control
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- outmaneuveringDefeating through superior tactics
positioning · checkmate · gambit · diversion · flanking · defensive play · strategic delay · buying time
averting
Preventing by action
- thwartingObstructing intended outcomes
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
interdiction · preclusion · circumvention · counteraction · heading off · warding off · staving off · shutting down · cutting off · deflecting
impeding
Blocking forward motion
- hinderingCreating obstacles to progress
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
blocking · bottlenecking · holding up · slowing down · interference · disruption · obstruction · barricading · chokepoint · gridlock
preemption
Acting to prevent another's action
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- predictionForecast of coming events
forethought · expectation · forecasting · prescience · premonition · preparedness · readiness · planning · intuition · insight
maneuvering
Skillful directional control
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- feintDeceptive mock attack
outmaneuvering · positioning · checkmate · gambit · diversion · flanking · defensive play · strategic delay · buying time
- restrainingconstraining, restricting, limiting, confining, curbing
forestallingreacting
Giving a response
damage control · mopping up · firefighting · responding · remedying
forestallingpermitting
Giving consent or authorization
allowing · enabling · sanctioning · tolerating · acquiescing
forestallingencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
facilitating · promoting · expediting · hastening · fostering