OBVIATE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

obviate

verb

ˈäb-vē-ˌāt

Definition of obviate

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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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 Naturally occurring tax revenues derived from economic growth would help obviate the need for Springfield’s seemingly endless quests for novel fees and tax ideas. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 While there are no modular reactors up and running yet in the United States, Albrecht said some of those in the design phase will use molten salt, helium or liquid metal to help cool the fission process, obviating the need for large amounts of water. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 May 2026 By the end of last fiscal year, about $262 million collected from Measure X had not been spent, with about half locked-in for key projects and about half that county leaders could reallocate to help obviate the need for another tax hike. — East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 1 May 2026 Conveying a very hawkish signal about the outlook for rates may obviate the need to actually raise them. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obviate

Verb

Gen 4 is also designed to add an Active Safety Mechanism intended to prevent thermal runaway by stabilizing electrode active materials at high temperatures.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
The international treaty prevents countries from sending people to nations where they could be harmed.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

To avert future calamities, the forest outside Bordeaux must be thinned and its fire breaks widened, said Arthur Guérin-Turcq, a Sorbonne University geographer whose family cultivates pines near Le Porge.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The settlement was reached during a California federal trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users.

— Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

For instance, in large American cities such as Chicago, significant segments of the Hispanic minority speak only Spanish, which precludes their being recruited by the police.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
As part of his plea deal, Kohberger waived the right to appeal, but that does not preclude him from filing a new case challenging the validity of his agreement.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of preclude

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obverses

obviate

obviated

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“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obviate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of obviate

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