Final answer:
A frictional force can prevent an object from moving by opposing the force applied to it, causing the object to slow down and eventually stop due to this resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent an object from moving when a force acts on it, one could introduce a frictional force that opposes the motion of the object. Since friction is a resistive force, it can effectively counteract the applied force and prevent the object from moving. This is observed when a force is applied to accelerate an object on a smooth icy surface; in the absence of friction, the object will continue to move with constant velocity once the applied force is stopped. However, in everyday scenarios where friction is present, the object will slow down and eventually stop due to this opposing force. Other forces, such as gravitational force, can also prevent movement if they counterbalance the applied force effectively.