inhibit
Meaning: to prevent, restrain, stop
Usage: When I told you I needed the car last night, I certainly never meant to inhibit you from going out.
preclude
Meaning: to prevent
Usage: My grandfather’s large and vicious guard dog precluded anyone from entering the yard.
deter
Meaning: to discourage, prevent from doing
Usage: Bob’s description of scary snakes couldn’t deter Marcia from traveling in the rainforests.
forestall
Meaning: to prevent, thwart, delay
Usage: I forestalled the cold I was getting by taking plenty of vitamin C pills and wearing a scarf.
dissuade
Meaning: to persuade someone not to do something
Usage: Worried that he would catch a cold, she tried to dissuade him from going out on winter nights.