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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obviate
So, a deal for Anthony could be in the offing, which would obviate any concerns about potential arbitration proceedings.
—
Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
What’s insidious in her philosophy is the notion that good choices and a positive attitude can obviate the need for modern pharmaceuticals.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
All of this math, these stats, and the quest for the best value completely obviate the search for real love.
—Myisha Battle, Time, 20 June 2025
When developers realized the high speeds would necessitate protective eyewear for riders, Smith’s squad devised side shields that deflected airflow, obviating the need for glasses.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
What’s insidious in her philosophy is the notion that good choices and a positive attitude can obviate the need for modern pharmaceuticals.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
All of this math, these stats, and the quest for the best value completely obviate the search for real love.
—Myisha Battle, Time, 20 June 2025
When developers realized the high speeds would necessitate protective eyewear for riders, Smith’s squad devised side shields that deflected airflow, obviating the need for glasses.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
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Acting now can avoid service interruptions, prevent compliance violations, and even reduce long-term costs.—
Arvin Chaudhary,
Hartford Courant,
16 Aug. 2025
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These commissions were created, in many cases by referendum, to reduce the role of partisan politics from the redistricting process — essentially, to prevent the kind of gerrymandering that both parties are now considering.—
Elena Shao,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To focus on banks allegedly turning away business for political reasons, or closing accounts similarly for reasons of politics, is for pundits, politicians and even presidents to avert their gaze from the real problem: regulators.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Williams begins by claiming that there was a brief golden period when Americans might have joined together to avert the disaster of identity politics.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kenyan Yildiz would certainly give some wing depth, or preclude the need to drop 75m on Diaz in the first place!—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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And in far less consequential territory, some are calling out Metro being from St. Louis, as if that precludes him from celebrating Atlanta.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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