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
Among other recommendations for reform, Open the Books advised that routine records such as staff lists, payrolls, and royalty data could be publicly posted, obviating the need for staffers to respond to common requests for large datasets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 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
Among other recommendations for reform, Open the Books advised that routine records such as staff lists, payrolls, and royalty data could be publicly posted, obviating the need for staffers to respond to common requests for large datasets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 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
-
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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What was meant to prevent violence ended up turning an ordinary moment into a frightening encounter with armed officers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Broadway musicians have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting the possibility of a strike.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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The government has also followed through on Vought’s earlier threat to fire a massive number of civil servants if the shutdown were not averted.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In retrospect, the houses should have been protected from redevelopment with a deed covenant, which could have precluded new development on the site.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
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Though Combs’ defense argued that his acquittals on the most serious charges precluded the court from considering the women’s claims of coercion, Judge Arun Subramanian said the women’s claims of violence and exploitation were major factors in the prison sentence of four years and two months.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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