anticipate avert avoid counteract foil forestall halt hold off preclude put an end to rule out thwart ward off arrest baffle balk bar block check chill cool cork counter dam debar forbid forfend frustrate hamper hinder impede inhibit intercept interdict interrupt limit obstruct obviate prohibit repress restrain restrict retard stop ward defend against head off hold back keep lid on nip in the bud put a stop to shut out stave off turn aside