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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obviate
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
Anthropic is supposed to be able to obviate what Workday does in human resources and finance.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
This imposition of consensus obviates the rather mysterious and ad hoc process of collapse, in favor of something more rigorous.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obviate
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
Anthropic is supposed to be able to obviate what Workday does in human resources and finance.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
This imposition of consensus obviates the rather mysterious and ad hoc process of collapse, in favor of something more rigorous.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate
Verb
-
To prevent renewal, cancel your membership through your Account Page.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
-
The bill, shared first with CNN, would codify NOAA’s aircraft reconnaissance and research role into law, which could help prevent those responsibilities from being transferred to another agency, like the US Air Force.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
This work, backed by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, aims to elevate early childhood development to a global priority, emphasizing that preventing the loss of vital connections in youth can avert the need for healing later in life.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
All this, experts tell us, not only precludes cutting rates but also may mean hiking them—perhaps several times—in the months ahead.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The second agreement precludes the Justice Department or any other federal agency from investigating the propriety of that funding.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
