1. Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
   "preventive medicine";
   - preventative, prophylactic
    
2. Tending to prevent or hinder
   "Regular exercise is a preventive measure against many diseases";
   - preventative

1. Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
   "the doctor recommended several preventives";
   - preventative, prophylactic
    
2. Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
   "The old regulations proved to be a preventive to progress";
   - hindrance, hinderance [rare], hitch, preventative, encumbrance, incumbrance
    
3. An agent or device intended to prevent conception
   "The pharmacist explained the various types of preventives available";
   - contraceptive, preventative, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device

Derived forms: preventives

See also: blockading, clogging, deterrent, frustrating, frustrative, healthful, hindering, impeding, obstructive, obviating, precautional, precautionary, preclusive, preemptive, pre-emptive, prohibitive, prohibitory, protective, thwarting

Type of: curative, cure, device, impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor, remedy, therapeutic