precluded: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal
Quick answer
What does “precluded” mean?
Made something impossible.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Made something impossible; prevented something from happening.
Rendered an event, action, or condition unattainable by creating an insurmountable barrier or by prior action. Often involves a logical or necessary consequence that rules out a possibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British formal and legal writing.
Connotations
Both variants carry the same connotation of formal, definitive prevention.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, with a slight edge in frequency in UK academic/legal texts.
Grammar
How to Use “precluded” in a Sentence
[Subject] precluded [Object][Subject] precluded [Someone] from [Doing Something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “precluded” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The heavy snowfall precluded travel to the remote village.
- His prior commitment precluded attendance at the meeting.
American English
- The settlement precluded any future lawsuits on the matter.
- His lack of a visa precluded him from entering the country.
adjective
British English
- The precluded option was never seriously considered.
- A precluded outcome.
American English
- The precluded scenarios were removed from the analysis.
- A precluded possibility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts and reports: 'The non-disclosure agreement precluded him from consulting for competitors.'
Academic
Common in legal, philosophical, and scientific writing: 'The methodological flaws precluded any firm conclusions.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used for emphasis: 'His injury precluded any chance of playing in the final.'
Technical
Used in legal contexts to denote a formal bar: 'The doctrine of res judicata precluded relitigation of the claim.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “precluded”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “precluded”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “precluded”
- Incorrect: 'The rain precluded us to go.' Correct: 'The rain precluded us from going.'
- Overuse in informal contexts where 'prevented' or 'stopped' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word (C1-C2 level). It is most common in legal, academic, and formal business writing.
The most common pattern is 'preclude someone/something from doing something' (e.g., 'The rules preclude him from voting'). It can also take a direct object (e.g., 'The error precludes a simple solution').
'Preclude' is stronger and more formal. It means to make something impossible in advance, often by logical necessity. 'Prevent' means to stop something from happening, but it might still be theoretically possible.
Yes, it is very common. For example: 'He was precluded from participating by the regulations.'
Made something impossible.
Precluded is usually formal in register.
Precluded: in British English it is pronounced /prɪˈkluːdɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /prɪˈkluːdɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Precluded from the outset”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PRE-CLOSED. If a door is pre-closed *before* you get there, you are **precluded** from entering.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARRIER/DOOR METAPHOR: An action precludes another by acting as a locked door or an insurmountable wall that makes passage impossible.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'precluded' correctly?