Preclude Definition – Meaning And Usage In A Sentence

Constructing sentences with different meanings is not a challenging task for most people. However, when it comes to incorporating the word “preclude,” not many will construct meaningful sentences with this word. Some don’t know the correct “preclude definition and meaning.”

The term “preclude” refers to stopping or preventing an action from happening. A great example of precluding is when someone signs a contract to play for a particular team, meaning they can’t play anywhere else. Avert, hinder, hold out, or bar are acceptable synonyms of the word preclude.

Using preclude in sentences will make your writing colorful and show your impeccable ability to use complex words. However, that will only happen if you understand the preclude definition, meaning, and usage in sentences. If you’re looking forward to learning everything about this word, you’ve come to the right place.

What is the Definition of Preclude?

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines preclude as making a particular event impossible or extremely difficult to achieve. You can also use the word to define ruling something planned out before it happens. 

Whenever you use this word, it describes taking action to stop something meant to happen before it does. For instance, if you muzzle a dog that regularly bites people, you could say that the muzzle precludes the dog from biting others.

Here are examples of preclude in a sentence:

• The Federal Reserve has quietly started taking measures to preclude the dollar from losing its value and causing panic.
• She thought jumping into the pool several feet below would preclude the flames from burning her further but ended up killing her instead.
• The mechanic revealed that fitting a new suspension would preclude further issues with the car’s acceleration.

What is the Meaning of Preclude?

The word “preclude” also means to make something complex, difficult, or impossible to achieve in any way, shape, or form. The term also exists as a third-person singular present tense (precludes), present participle (precluding), or past tense (precluded).

When you say something precludes another action, the occurrence of the first event makes it impossible to complete. Additionally, if you break the word into two, the prefix pre indicates something done before another. This meaning mainly applies in formal settings.

Here are some sentences:

• Mathew’s age precludes him from getting into another relationship since his wife died.
• Staying away from water precludes your chances of drowning; it also prevents you from having a great time swimming.
• The constitution precludes any president from serving more than two terms; however, the senate would like to amend it.

The word also means excluding or hindering a person from a given activity or condition. This definition is best suited when describing situations involving people having difficulty completing goals due to existing conditions.

Here are some more sentences:

• Kim has won the prize, but his religion will preclude him from accepting it or any other form of appreciation
• Willy would love to continue performing on stage, but his condition might preclude him from doing so.
• Halley has loved dogs since she saw one at my apartment, but her allergies preclude her from ever getting one.

FAQs on the Meaning of Preclude

You will come across this word in different instances, and many questions will come up. We will let you understand the word’s usage better by answering the frequently asked questions. Here we go!

Does preclude also mean to prohibit? These two words might have similar definitions, but they differ in meaning. Preclude is removing, preventing, or making it impossible to achieve. To prohibit, however, refers to controlling access to a section or a restricted location. In the first case, making a specific action happen becomes impossible. With prohibition, there is a chance that one might gain entry.

What is the opposite of preclude? The opposite of the word preclude is encouraged. The word means to facilitate or help something or someone achieve their desired goal. Other terms such as support, push, liberate and allow are acceptable antonyms of the word preclude.

Does preclude have the same meaning as prelude? Preclude, and prelude are words that are often misspelled and used interchangeably. Nevertheless, they have completely different meanings. Preclude means something preventing another from taking place. Prelude, however, refers to an action that acts as a beginning or introduction to something more substantial. Therefore these two words are not interchangeable because they have different meanings.

What does preclude mean in law? The legal term used in this context is “issue preclusion.” The term refers to the act of a final ruling binding the defendant and the plaintiff and their privies in different causes of actions between them as to the same matters litigated.

How to Use Preclude in a Sentence

The term preclude is a verb. Whenever most people use preclude, they’ll only use it in its current verb form. However, there are other ways of using this word (commonly used as a noun), as we shall see below. 

Using Preclude as a Noun (Preclusion and Preclusions)

When you use the word in its noun form, it describes the act of precluding. The new word also describes the state or condition of an action or an event preventing something else from happening. Preclusions is the plural of the word preclusion.

Go through these sentences to understand better:

• These structures and frameworks aim to preclude any illegal dealings during that time.
• Although Cate’s current contract has a preclusion from signing any other contract, luckily, her pay is still on the higher side.

Using Preclude as an Adjective (Precludable, Preclusive, and Precluded)

When this word changes into an adjective, it describes the discussed noun. The noun form refers to something or someone that might be precluded or serves to preclude.

Here are more sentence examples:

• The preclusive effects of the law make it hard for anyone to perform such actions without breaking the law
• The vast mansion might have an affordable price tag, but there are several rules to staying in the house that many find preclusive.

Using Preclude as an Adverb (Preclusively)

When preclusively is used as an adverb form of “preclude,” the word shows how an action happened in a preclusive manner.

Here are some examples for you to go through:

• Some say that the company they worked for preclusively forced them to sign contracts that were not favorable to them.
• Choosing such a life of your own volition is okay, but when you sign your rights away preclusively, everything goes wrong.

10 Examples of Preclude in a Sentence

The subsequent ten sentences incorporate the word preclude in them. Please go through each example to have a better understanding of the word.

1. Despite the numerous negative Yelp reviews, they do not preclude people from regularly eating at the restaurant.
2. We could not preclude the tumultuous relationship from developing.
3. Some clauses of the famous Sharia law adopted by most Asian countries preclude women from doing certain activities.
4. I gave the contract to my lawyer to preclude any ambiguity or loopholes I might have overlooked initially.
5. Despite his eagerness, Hulk’s injury may preclude him from playing soccer with the football club in the foreseeable future.
6. This contract signed would preclude you from incurring on this apprehensive burden.
7. The warning sign and electric fence should be enough to preclude nosy people from trespassing on the property.
8. As much as America has made sound economic choices, the global recession might preclude her development shortly.
9. The amendments to the existing law will solve the debt ceiling issue but will preclude the overall economic development as we advance.
10. The new regulations did not preclude people from taking advantage of female Uber drivers in the region.
11. Their different opinions never precludes them from acting nicely towards their children and extended family.
12. The indignant executives disclosed to the patient that his pacemaker precludes the recovery of his heart.

How Do You Spell Preclude?

The term “preclude” is reasonably easy to spell; spell the word as P.R.E.C.L.U.D.E.

How Do You Pronounce Preclude?

The best preclude pronunciation is [pruh]. [klood],

This is a perfect example of words not pronounced how you spell them. When practicing saying the word, remember that the “e” at the end of the term is silent.

Synonyms Of The Word “Preclude”

• Hinder
• Impede
• Obviate
• Exclude
• Deter
• Cease

Antonyms Of The Word “Preclude”

• Encourage
• Aid
• Allow
• Assist
• Include
• Facilitate

How Many Syllables Are In Preclude?

Preclude an eight-letter word with two syllables; pre. clude.

History & Etymology of Preclude

The word preclude stems from two Latin words, prae, meaning “before,” and cludere, which means “to close or shut.” These two words together form preclude as used in the 15th century. At first, the Latin word was used as nautical language as it referred to “closing or baring a route or passage.” The word’s meaning and approach later changed into the English word we use today.

When Was Preclude First Used?

Based on its current definition, the term “preclude” first use dates back to 1513. 

Conclusion

Making sentences that sound correct depends on whether or not your words and clauses convey a complete thought. The best way to write long and short sentences is to learn each word you plan to use and incorporate it correctly. Thanks to this article on “preclude definition, meaning, and usage,” you won’t misuse this word in sentences again.