as in prevented
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 obviated
But a constant churn of financial maneuvers (spinning off Saks’ e-commerce, creating co-working spaces in underutilized stores, all while being highly leveraged) brought some benefit but never obviated the need to invest more in basics.
—
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviated
Verb
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The athletes are not employees in the legal sense and therefore cannot be prevented from leaving for another university.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In April 2011, leaders of both parties came to an agreement following weeks of difficult negotiations and ultimately averted a government shutdown, as recapped by President Barack Obama.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Former Assistant Principal Ebony Parker is accused of ignoring red flags that might have averted the 2023 shooting.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 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
“Obviated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviated. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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