obviate

verb

1. do away with

   Synonyms

   • rid of, eliminate

   Antonym

   • necessitate, ask, postulate, need, require, take, involve, call for, demand

   More specific

   • preclude, rule out, close out

2. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; “Let’s avoid a confrontation”; “head off a confrontation”; “avert a strike”

   Synonyms

   • debar, forefend, forfend, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off

   Less specific

   • prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid