Forestallers

Forestallers are individuals or entities who act to prevent or hinder something from happening, often by taking preemptive measures or intervening before others can act. They anticipate and attempt to nullify a future event, typically one perceived as unfavorable or detrimental. This can involve manipulating circumstances, acquiring resources, or influencing decisions to alter the course of events. The actions of forestallers are often driven by a desire for control, protection, or advantage, aimed at securing a desired outcome or mitigating a potential risk. They operate on the premise that early intervention is more effective than dealing with the consequences of an event later. The term frequently carries a negative connotation when viewed as manipulative or unfair.

Forestallers meaning with examples

• The company's legal team worked tirelessly to forestall potential lawsuits by proactively addressing any possible grievances from customers, offering generous settlements to mitigate damage and keep the company in good standing. This strategy was very expensive.
• In a power struggle, political players often act as forestallers, moving rapidly to control media, discredit opponents, and solidify alliances to preempt their adversaries' strategies before they can even be launched against the opposition.
• Resource hoarding acts as a way for forestallers to prevent supply chain problems, making sure they can still thrive and be relevant in the market. This often comes with the cost of price hikes or smaller market shares overall.
• The central bank acted as a forestaller in the economy when they began to buy bonds at an artificially low rate to maintain a low-interest environment which would bolster the strength of the economy, a controversial position to hold.
• To forestall any potential crisis, governments utilize surveillance to track individuals and activities that may be linked to terrorism or other nefarious activities, which has the potential for civil liberties violations.