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
The war in Ukraine, the deadliest European conflict since WW2, grinds into its fourth year, and the American president has cast doubt on his commitment to that nation as well as the NATO alliance Americans established after WW2 to obviate the threat of aggressive war in Europe.
—
Chris Doyle, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
The illustrations seem to have obviated the need for a court painter: now Trump has dozens if not hundreds of people to conjure flattering representations of him on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection / For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Scott’s full-body acting and wide-spectrum voice has obviated the need.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Chris Doyle, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
The illustrations seem to have obviated the need for a court painter: now Trump has dozens if not hundreds of people to conjure flattering representations of him on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection / For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Scott’s full-body acting and wide-spectrum voice has obviated the need.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
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Even after that, Microsoft refused to take full responsibility and hasn’t done enough to prevent future attacks.—
Jovante Teague,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
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Trump's travel restrictions are already preventing some scientists from being able to travel to the U.S. for conferences.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Pakistan has announced its nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with averting a major conflict in South Asia at a time when the U.S. leader is contemplating intervention in the Middle East.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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The day pass announcement comes after state lawmakers last month failed to pass transit reform legislation — or find funding to avert a looming $771 million fiscal cliff — during their spring legislative session.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Arab states also had to account for the growing anger among the Arab public about the treatment of the people of Gaza, which precluded any further tightening of Arab-Israeli security cooperation.—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
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The solar bill essentially prohibits local governments from establishing zoning rules that preclude large solar fields, and sets uniform statewide standards for solar sites.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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