Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun preventive

3 senses of preventive

Sense 1
preventive, preventative, prophylactic -- (remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives")
       => remedy, curative, cure, therapeutic -- (a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain)

Sense 2
hindrance, hinderance, hitch, preventive, preventative, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference -- (any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome)
       => obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment, impedimenta -- (any structure that makes progress difficult)

Sense 3
contraceptive, preventive, preventative, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device -- (an agent or device intended to prevent conception)
       => device -- (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water")

Antonyms of adj preventive

2 senses of preventive

Sense 1
preventive, preventative, prophylactic -- (preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug")

INDIRECT (VIA healthful) -> unhealthful -- (detrimental to good health; "unhealthful air pollution"; "unhealthful conditions in old apartments with peeling lead-based paint")

Sense 2
preventive (vs. permissive), preventative -- (tending to prevent or hinder)

permissive (vs. preventive) -- (not preventive)
        => bailable -- (admitting of bail; "a bailable offense")

Similarity of adj preventive

2 senses of preventive

Sense 1
preventive, preventative, prophylactic -- (preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug")
       => healthful (vs. unhealthful) -- (conducive to good health of body or mind; "a healthful climate"; "a healthful environment"; "healthful nutrition"; "healthful sleep"; "Dickens's relatively healthful exuberance")

Sense 2
preventive (vs. permissive), preventative -- (tending to prevent or hinder)
       => blockading -- (blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors; "the blockading ships prevented delivery of munitions")
       => clogging, hindering, impeding, obstructive -- (preventing movement; "the clogging crowds of revelers overflowing into the street")
       => deterrent -- (tending to deter; "the deterrent effects of high prices")
       => frustrating, frustrative, thwarting -- (preventing realization or attainment of a desire)
       => precautionary, precautional -- (taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure; "gave precautionary advice"; "I would take precautionary steps to keep him away")
       => preclusive, obviating (prenominal) -- (made impossible)
       => preemptive, pre-emptive -- (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence; "a preemptive business offer")
       => prohibitive, prohibitory -- (tending to discourage (especially of prices); "the price was prohibitive")
          Also See-> protective#1