Sample sentences for FORESTALL

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Definition

to prevent something by taking action

seeking union concessions to forestall bankruptcy
every opportunity of speaking to her alone appeared to be forestalled.
Charles Dickens -- Little Dorrit
His gravity was unusual, portentous, and immeasurable, not because he admitted any doubt of himself but because he perceived it necessary to forestall any doubt of himself in others.
Charles Dickens -- Our Mutual Friend
So he forestalled what might be the next move:
Mark Twain -- Tom Sawyer
Frederick's confession of folly need not be forestalled.
Jane Austen -- Northanger Abbey
interposing quickly to forestall a retort from Jane
George Bernard Shaw -- An Unsocial Socialist
It forestalled a really vicious war that could have lasted for decades.
Orson Scott Card -- Ender's Game

forestalled = prevented

Ender, however, was trying to figure out a way to forestall vengeance.
Orson Scott Card -- Ender's Game

forestall = prevent something by taking action

He mocked himself to forestall the mocking comments of anti-semites.
Orson Scott Card -- Ender's Game

forestall = prevent

He opened his mouth to speak again, but Arya forestalled him by placing three of her fingers upon his lips.
Christopher Paolini -- Inheritance
He made a shooing motion to forestall his student's protest.
Patrick Rothfuss -- The Name of the Wind
I know it was a slight knowledge,' said Mr Meagles, dexterously forestalling an angry interruption which he saw about to break.
Charles Dickens -- Little Dorrit
Her light grey eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every little want and forestalling it if possible.
Arthur Conan Doyle -- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Supposing someone had forestalled him?
Agatha Christie -- The ABC Murders
The Proclamation became necessary to hold his remaining supporters and to forestall—so he believed-English recognition of the Confederacy.
Richard Hofstadter -- Abraham Lincoln and the Self-Made Myth
Two men stand at the door to forestall the sisters and keep them occupied if they chance to come along.
Erich Maria Remarque -- All Quiet on the Western Front
Akhilleus shook his head at the rest of the Akhaians, allowing none to shoot or cast at Hektor— none to forestall him, and to win the honor.
Homer -- The Iliad
] and might not you Forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue?
William Shakespeare -- Love's Labour's Lost
He lifted a hand to call a messenger to his side, but Attolia forestalled him.
Megan Whalen Turner -- Queen of Attolia

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