obviate

obviate (http://definr.com/obviate)

     v 1: do away with [syn: rid of, eliminate] [ant: necessitate]
     2: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
        avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert
        a strike" [syn: debar, deflect, avert, head off, {stave
        off}, fend off, avoid, ward off]