prevent

Verb

• stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
  • We must prevent the cancer from spreading
    
  • His snoring kept me from falling asleep
    
  • Keep the child from eating the marbles
    

• keep from happening or arising; make impossible
  • My sense of tact forbids an honest answer
    
  • Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  keep , forestall , foreclose , preclude , forbid
• Antonyms: 
  let , allow , permit