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
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
But this does not obviate the very real problems that will be caused in America if AI services are permitted to absorb without recompense — and thereby to render obsolete or superfluous — the work of millions of people on the existing internet.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 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
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
But this does not obviate the very real problems that will be caused in America if AI services are permitted to absorb without recompense — and thereby to render obsolete or superfluous — the work of millions of people on the existing internet.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 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
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
-
The company also lobbied Congress over legislation that would prevent chemical assessments conducted by the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System program from being used in regulation.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary with the Department of Homeland Security, claimed that the demonstrators were preventing an ICE vehicle from leaving the federal facility and hampering operations.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Duane averted his eyes to avoid a direct challenging stare that might motivate the sow.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
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While it's become common practice for Congress to avert a shutdown at the last possible moment, that outcome appears increasingly unlikely.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This precludes it from accommodating thousands of visitors eager to witness simulated slaughter.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
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And that might be good business for Netflix, but perhaps the best thing that can be said about Black Rabbit is that its ending likely precludes a sequel.—
Andrew Bernard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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