as in preventing
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 obviating
New designs and operating methods are also obviating the noise that older-style centers once created.
—
Mehdi Paryavi, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The area vacated by that project — more than 30 acres — is large enough to build a new arena, obviating the need to tear down City Hall for that purpose.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Dan Lawrence’s son, Luke, piloting Ariel, which once belonged to the Roosevelts’ neighbor Archie Rogers, took the first heat, and then the second, obviating the need for a third.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Often, the liquid gets poured right to the brim, obviating any attempt at swirling and sniffing.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2022
Mehdi Paryavi, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The area vacated by that project — more than 30 acres — is large enough to build a new arena, obviating the need to tear down City Hall for that purpose.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Dan Lawrence’s son, Luke, piloting Ariel, which once belonged to the Roosevelts’ neighbor Archie Rogers, took the first heat, and then the second, obviating the need for a third.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Often, the liquid gets poured right to the brim, obviating any attempt at swirling and sniffing.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviating
Verb
-
The grip is surprisingly sturdy for mat work, while the bilster-preventing tab protects my skin from the tough material of my running shoes.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
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The group dumped over $100 million into either removing critics of Israel or preventing them from entering Congress.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Practices for averting death are based on the theory that human lives exist due to the coming together of natural, supernatural, human and divine elements.—
Jue Liang,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 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
-
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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Politicians could reduce their risk of infringing on someone's First Amendment rights by creating separate work and personal accounts and avoiding mixed-use accounts, the ruling states.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Overall, its candidates continue to lean left, but the party is mostly avoiding a tumble into the abyss.—
Henry Olsen,
Washington Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obviating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviating. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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