preventive
adjective
1. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
- preventive medicine
Similar word(s): healthful, preventative, prophylactic
2. tending to prevent or hinder
Similar word(s): blockading, clogging, hindering, impeding, obstructive, deterrent, frustrating, frustrative, thwarting, precautional, precautionary, obviating, preclusive, preemptive, prohibitive, prohibitory, protective, preventative
noun
1. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
- the doctor recommended several preventatives
Similar word(s): preventative, prophylactic
Definition categories: man–made, curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic
2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
Similar word(s): encumbrance, hinderance, hindrance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventative
Definition categories: man–made, impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor
3. an agent or device intended to prevent conception
Similar word(s): contraceptive, preventative
Definition categories: man–made, device