precludes

Definition

The legal way of saying 'nope, that's not happening' by making something impossible or preventing it from occurring. It's the formal mechanism for shutting doors before anyone even thinks about opening them. When a contract or law precludes something, it's the linguistic equivalent of putting up a concrete wall.

Example Usage

The non-compete clause precludes her from working for any competitor within 50 miles for two years.

Source: Legal terminology via standard dictionaries

Related Terms

Beginner

Billable Hours

The legal profession's unit of time measurement, where a six-minute phone call becomes a full hour and reading an email counts as research. The only industry where the clock runs faster than in a microwave.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

overturn

What happens when a higher court looks at a lower court's decision and says 'nah, you got it wrong.' It's the legal system's version of an undo button, flipping rulings upside down and occasionally changing the course of history. One day you've won your case, the next day an appeals court has overturned it and you're back to square one with extra legal bills.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

annul

To legally declare something void, as if it never existed—the official "undo" button for marriages, contracts, or governmental acts. It's the nuclear option when canceling isn't quite dramatic enough, often requiring a court or authority to wave their magic gavel. Different from divorce in that annulment pretends you never made that regrettable decision in the first place.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

Whistleblower

A brave soul who reports illegal activity at their workplace and is rewarded with legal protection and social ostracism in roughly equal measure. The corporate equivalent of the kid who reminded the teacher about homework.

⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government / Politics

Intermediate

doctrine

A formally stated principle, belief system, or body of teachings that guides an organization, religion, or legal framework. In law, doctrines are established principles like 'stare decisis' that judges pretend to follow consistently. It's basically the official rulebook that everyone cites when they want their position to sound authoritative and unquestionable.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

accused

The person on the receiving end of criminal charges, standing in the uncomfortable spotlight of allegations before guilt is proven—or not. Unlike a defendant in a civil case who might just owe money, the accused faces potential loss of liberty and that special joy of being presumed innocent while everyone treats you like you're guilty. Until the gavel falls on a verdict, they're in legal limbo with a very expensive lawyer.

⚖️ Legal

Translate This Term

See “precludes” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

OnlyPlans

OnlyPlans is when you repeatedly make plans with a person, but they never come to fruition. The term plays off OnlyFans,...