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
-
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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Today’s agreement, struck on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, averts another escalation of tensions between the world’s two great powers.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
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In Congress, lawmakers from both parties have introduced measures to avert future disruptions.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Wednesday; uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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