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
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
The new ballroom should obviate the need for use of tents on the South Lawn of the White House for big events.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Those efforts, however, don’t obviate the fact that the rivalry between the two Asian giants persists.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
But the letters don’t obviate the need for committee meetings, said Peter Lurie, a former associate FDA commissioner who heads the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
The new ballroom should obviate the need for use of tents on the South Lawn of the White House for big events.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Those efforts, however, don’t obviate the fact that the rivalry between the two Asian giants persists.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
But the letters don’t obviate the need for committee meetings, said Peter Lurie, a former associate FDA commissioner who heads the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
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Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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In Connecticut and across New England, where talk of electricity tends to turn on highest-in-the-nation rates, the potential cold weather energy emergency faced by customers elsewhere was averted, but that success comes with a warning.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Wolves were rumored to be pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, but the Dosunmu deal likely precludes a deal for the former two-time MVP.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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While a handful of hospitals reinstated the care after a short pause, that hasn’t precluded some from suspending it again under further federal pressure, as Children’s Hospital Colorado did last month.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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