PREVENTATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does preventative mean? 

• PREVENTATIVE (noun)
  The noun PREVENTATIVE has 3 senses:

1. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
3. an agent or device intended to prevent conception

  Familiarity information: PREVENTATIVE used as a noun is uncommon.

• PREVENTATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective PREVENTATIVE has 2 senses:

1. tending to prevent or hinder
2. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease

  Familiarity information: PREVENTATIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREVENTATIVE (noun)

Meaning:

Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

preventative; preventive; prophylactic

Context example:

the doctor recommended several preventatives

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

curative; cure; remedy; therapeutic (a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain)

Meaning:

Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

preventive; hindrance; hinderance; preventative; incumbrance; encumbrance; interference; hitch

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preventative"):

clog (any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction)

speed bump (a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway)

Meaning:

An agent or device intended to prevent conception

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

birth control device; contraceptive; contraceptive device; prophylactic device; preventative; preventive

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preventative"):

cervical cap (a contraceptive device consisting of a small thimble-shaped cup that is placed over the uterine cervix to prevent the entrance of spermatozoa)

spermatocide; spermicide (a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa)

anovulant; anovulatory drug; birth control pill; contraceptive pill; oral contraceptive; oral contraceptive pill; pill (a contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception)

morning-after pill (a large dose of estrogen taken orally within 24 to 72 hours after intercourse; prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum and so acts as a contraceptive; commonly used after rape or incest)

intrauterine device; IUD (contraceptive device consisting of a piece of bent plastic or metal that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus)

contraceptive diaphragm; diaphragm; pessary (a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix)

condom; prophylactic; rubber; safe; safety (contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse)

coil (a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb)

• PREVENTATIVE (adjective)

Meaning:

Tending to prevent or hinder

Synonyms:

preventative; preventive

Similar:

prohibitive; prohibitory (tending to discourage (especially of prices))

pre-emptive; preemptive (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence)

obviating; preclusive (made impossible)

precautional; precautionary (taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure)

frustrating; frustrative; thwarting (preventing realization or attainment of a desire)

deterrent (tending to deter)

clogging; hindering; impeding; obstructive (preventing movement)

blockading (blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors)

Also:

protective (intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind)

Meaning:

Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease

Synonyms:

preventive; preventative; prophylactic

Context examples:

preventive medicine / vaccines are prophylactic / a prophylactic drug

Similar:

healthful (conducive to good health of body or mind)