What does the term 'forestall' mean in a context of taking action in advance?

The term 'forestall' means to prevent something from happening by taking action in advance. When you forestall an event, you're essentially anticipating it and making moves to stop it or mitigate its impact before it occurs. This proactive approach indicates foresight and strategic planning.

For example, if a company anticipates a drop in sales due to an upcoming competitor's product launch and takes steps to boost their marketing efforts ahead of time, they are forestalling the potential negative impact on their sales.

This definition aligns perfectly with the meaning of the correct answer, emphasizing the idea of taking decisive action beforehand to avert a negative outcome.