Attempt and Prevention: English Vocabulary List

to try as hard as possible to achieve a goal

"Strive to be your best self."

"We should always strive to be better than we were yesterday instead of comparing ourselves to others."

to stop or prevent something from happening

"The contract will preclude future disputes."

"The new contract will preclude any future disputes by clearly defining the responsibilities of both parties."

to cleverly avoid or escape from someone or something

"The answer continues to elude me."

"The clever thief managed to elude the police by disappearing into the crowded marketplace."

to deliberately avoid facing or fulfilling something difficult, unpleasant, or obligatory

"The criminal tried to evade the police."

"The criminal managed to evade the police for several months by constantly moving to different cities."

to free oneself from a place that one is being held against their will, such as a prison

"Prisoners plan to break out tonight."

"The prisoners plan to break out of jail by digging a tunnel under the prison wall."

to not allow someone to do something or go somewhere

"The new rule will bar smoking inside."

"The new policy will bar employees from using social media during working hours."

to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening

"The driver averted a serious accident."

"The quick thinking driver managed to avert a serious accident by swerving to avoid the oncoming truck."

to deliberately create challenges or difficulties that slow down or prevent the smooth advancement or development of something

"The fallen tree will obstruct the road."

"A fallen tree will obstruct the road until the cleanup crew arrives to remove it."

to prevent or limit an action or process

"Fear can inhibit personal growth."

"Fear of failure can inhibit people from pursuing their dreams and taking necessary risks in life."

to oppose or resist someone or something

"Do not go against your parents' wishes."

"It is difficult to go against the wishes of your parents when you know they only want the best for you."

to counteract or neutralize the intended or anticipated effect of something

"The court will nullify the contract."

"The court decided to nullify the contract because one of the parties had signed it under duress."