What action does the verb "obviate" refer to?

The verb "obviate" refers to the action of preventing or removing an obstacle or difficulty. It implies taking proactive measures to eliminate the possibility of something undesirable from occurring. For example, if a new safety protocol is put in place to obviate workplace accidents, it effectively prevents those accidents from happening. This is in contrast to merely encouraging, making something happen, or enhancing—actions that do not carry the same connotation of prevention or removal that "obviate" implies. Thus, the correct answer accurately captures the essence of this verb.