as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
brushing regularly should obviate the need for frequent trips to the dentist
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Recent Examples of obviate
These workstations, as well as increasingly powerful desktop computers from IBM and Apple, obviated the need for specialized LISP machines.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Even the hefty, vintage camcorder Matthew totes around to film his documentary drops us directly into his leering point of view, crash zooming in on Oliver’s face and obviating boundaries.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
More importantly, meeting the needs of people with lower levels of incomes is more effective in market rate construction which obviates the investment in land, construction, and operation.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
That way that happens is that some fights are won and lost while others simply fade away, obviated by technology or just run out of steam.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Even the hefty, vintage camcorder Matthew totes around to film his documentary drops us directly into his leering point of view, crash zooming in on Oliver’s face and obviating boundaries.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
More importantly, meeting the needs of people with lower levels of incomes is more effective in market rate construction which obviates the investment in land, construction, and operation.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
That way that happens is that some fights are won and lost while others simply fade away, obviated by technology or just run out of steam.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
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Earlier this month, Bush told PEOPLE that Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, have previously put on the party, but work commitments prevented Steinfeld from continuing the tradition.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Stronger muscles can reduce the stress and impact put on cartilage during daily activities, helping prevent further wear and tear.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But, traditionally, the judiciary has been concerned about its institutional competence, relative to the other branches’, to evaluate the nature and extent of foreign threats and the policies needed to avert them.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2025
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In April 2011, leaders of both parties came to an agreement following weeks of difficult negotiations and ultimately averted a government shutdown, as recapped by President Barack Obama.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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McMahon is earning $32 million through 2027, which likely precludes a serious run at a free agent like Alex Bregman.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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That’s understandable, but that does not preclude him from showing up in some way for himself and for you.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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