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
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
But this does not obviate the very real problems that will be caused in America if AI services are permitted to absorb without recompense — and thereby to render obsolete or superfluous — the work of millions of people on the existing internet.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Among other recommendations for reform, Open the Books advised that routine records such as staff lists, payrolls, and royalty data could be publicly posted, obviating the need for staffers to respond to common requests for large datasets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
But this does not obviate the very real problems that will be caused in America if AI services are permitted to absorb without recompense — and thereby to render obsolete or superfluous — the work of millions of people on the existing internet.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Among other recommendations for reform, Open the Books advised that routine records such as staff lists, payrolls, and royalty data could be publicly posted, obviating the need for staffers to respond to common requests for large datasets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
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The trees’ mass can prevent them from getting blown over by high winds.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
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The only question that remains regarding Kershaw’s Hall of Fame candidacy is which member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) will be protected by anonymity and prevent him from being a unanimous selection in his first year of eligibility on the 2031 ballot.—
Wayne G. McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The universal vaccine recommendation that was in place in this scenario was projected to reduce hospitalizations by 11% and deaths by 13% – essentially averting 104,000 hospitalizations and 9,000 deaths.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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The vitamin C in the formula is delivered to the skin over the course of 12 hours, averting the risk of irritation from a sudden surge of actives, as antioxidants like niacinamide and pro-glutathione reinforce the skin barrier.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The baying scrum around the Renaissance masterpiece—and his height at the time—precluded a glimpse of her crook of a smile.—
Mahoro Seward,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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The fact that the Dodgers do not plan to give Ohtani a look out of the bullpen does not preclude that from happening at some point in the postseason, Roberts said.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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