Master confusing words with ease
Preventative vs. Preventive
Preventative
/prɪˈventətɪv/Examples:
Regular exercise is a crucial preventative measure.The vaccine acts as a preventative against the flu.Reading before bed is a preventative for insomnia.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Preventive
/prɪˈventɪv/Examples:
Vaccinations are a key part of preventive healthcare.The company deployed preventive measures against cyber threats.Preventive actions can mitigate risks in project management.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Remember that both preventive and preventative mean the same thing, but preventive is shorter.
- Preventive is more commonly used in both everyday language and academic writing.
- Preventative has one extra syllable but is more often used in the same contexts as preventive.
© 2025 Lithium Lab Pte Ltd