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
In other words, the ideal legal code would obviate the need for pardoning altogether.
—
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
That is, they are dotted with nodules inhabited by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that obviate the need for fertilizer.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
That is more than enough space to build a new arena, obviating the need to demolish City Hall for that purpose.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Starmer has staked his governing project on economic growth that would boost government receipts and obviate the need for higher taxes.
—Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
That is, they are dotted with nodules inhabited by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that obviate the need for fertilizer.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
That is more than enough space to build a new arena, obviating the need to demolish City Hall for that purpose.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Starmer has staked his governing project on economic growth that would boost government receipts and obviate the need for higher taxes.
—Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
-
The Democratic senator, who voted for the USMCA trade pact in 2019, is calling for better labor standards, enforcement provisions, wage protections, and updates to origin requirements that prevent China from accessing the North American market through Mexico.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The finding has the potential to provide a longer runway to make the lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk, and could be used to better identify subjects who could benefit from participating in clinical trials seeking to prevent or treat neurodegenerative disease.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
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The Ducks’ fourth line toiled low in the zone, and after the Jets hustled to avert the threat there, Trouba’s ostensibly harmless fling from the far corner found the net, appearing to hit Winnipeg defenseman Ville Heinola’s stick first.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was selected for the All-Star Game for the 22nd time in his career despite missing 18 games due to injury, precluding him from consideration for the postseason All-NBA teams.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
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While neither would preclude an attack on an armed enemy combatant, analysts noted the Iranian ship was not nearly in an equal fight with the US fast-attack sub.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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