| Main Entry: | nip in the bud |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | stop early on |
Synonyms: |
abort, anticipate, cut off, cut short, put the kibosh on, stymie |
| Main Entry: | blight |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | ruin, destroy |
Synonyms: |
annihilate, blast, crush, damage, dash, decay, disappoint, foul up, frustrate, glitch up, injure, mar, mess up*, nip in the bud, nullify, shrivel, spoil, taint, trash*, wither, wreck |
Antonyms: |
aid, bless, guard, help, prosper, protect |
| Main Entry: | check |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hinder, restrain |
Synonyms: |
arrest, baffle, bar, bit, bottleneck, bridle, checkmate, choke, circumvent, constrain, control, counteract, curb, cut short, delay, discourage, foil, frustrate, halt, harness, hold, hold back, hold down, hold in, impede, inhibit, interrupt, keep back, limit, moderate, neutralize, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, pause, play for time, preclude, prevent, rebuff, reduce, rein in, repress, repulse, retard, slacken pace, slow down, snub, squelch, stay, stop, suppress, tame, terminate, thwart, withhold |
Antonyms: |
aid, allow, assist, expedite, help, indulge, liberate, permit |
| Main Entry: | prevent |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | keep from happening or continuing |
Synonyms: |
anticipate, arrest, avert, avoid, baffle, balk, bar, block, check, chill*, cool, cork, counter, counteract, dam, debar, defend against, foil, forbid, forestall, forfend, frustrate, halt, hamper, head off, hinder, hold back, hold off, impede, inhibit, intercept, interdict, interrupt, keep lid on, limit, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, preclude, prohibit, put a stop to, put an end to, repress, restrain, restrict, retard, rule out, shut out, stave off, stop, thwart, turn aside, ward off |
Antonyms: |
aid, allow, assist, cause, help, let go |
| Main Entry: | stave |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prevent |
Synonyms: |
anticipate, arrest, avert, avoid, baffle, balk, bar, block, check, chill*, cool*, cork, counter, counteract, dam, debar, defend against, foil, forbid, forestall, forfend, frustrate, halt, hamper, head off, hinder, hold back, hold off, impede, inhibit, intercept, interdict, interrupt, keep lid on, limit, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, preclude, prohibit, put a stop to, put an end to, repress, restrain, restrict, retard, rule out, shut out, stave off, stop, thwart, turn aside, ward, ward off |