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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of obviate
But the ability to artificially increase eyeballs doesn't obviate your responsibility to create authentically compelling content.
—
John Marino, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Some Indians treated the curfew as the occasion to gather in festive crowds, obviating its intended purpose.
—Vidya Krishnan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2020
But the change didn’t necessarily obviate the need for the community’s parties: Nguyen said that early attempts at translation by the county were often poor or incomplete.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
This carrier said that the predictable cost obviates the need to track spending.
—Zeus Kerravala, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obviate 
John Marino, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Some Indians treated the curfew as the occasion to gather in festive crowds, obviating its intended purpose.
—Vidya Krishnan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2020
But the change didn’t necessarily obviate the need for the community’s parties: Nguyen said that early attempts at translation by the county were often poor or incomplete.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
This carrier said that the predictable cost obviates the need to track spending.
—Zeus Kerravala, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
-
In the penultimate episode of the series, Charlotte put a target on Freddie Fraser’s back by not telling him Leanne Quigley had a shield that would prevent the traitors from murdering her.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Not that the 110°F scorch prevents Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Arnold, from doing push-ups as the crew prepares for another take.—
Charlie Campbell,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Had both parties agreed to these terms then, thousands of Gazans might still be alive, and the recent destruction in the northern Gaza Strip could have been averted.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The aim is to prevent AI from emitting foul remarks, stop AI from plainly showcasing how to make bombs and other weapons, and even avert the vaunted existential risk that AI might one day opt to enslave or wipe out humankind.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Life on the fringes Kody Clemens is an awkward spot; the Phillies have always labeled him a big-league-caliber player, but that has not precluded them from stashing him in the minors when possible.—
Matt Gelb,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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And having more thoughtful conversations doesn’t preclude the need sometimes to confront those who are needlessly cruel or organizations that benefit from such exploitation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near obviate
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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