1. (verb)prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid keep from happening or arising; make impossible Synonyms: proscribe, rule out, counter, interdict, keep, veto, preclude, forestall, prevent, prohibit, foreclose, forbid, nix, anticipate, foresee, close out, disallow
2. (verb)preclude, rule out, close out make impossible, especially beforehand Synonyms: forbid, rule in, preclude, rule out, winnow out, prevent, forestall, eliminate, foreclose, close out, reject