obviate

[ ob-vee-eyt ]

/ ˈɒb viˌeɪt /

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verb (used with object), ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing.

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.

Nearby words

Origin of obviate

1590–1600; < Latin obviātus, past participle of obviāre to act contrary to, derivative of obvius; see obvious, -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR obviate

preclude, avert, anticipate.

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Related forms

ob·vi·a·ble

[ob-vee-uh-buhl] /ˈɒb vi ə bəl/, adjectiveob·vi·a·tion, nounob·vi·a·tor, nounpre·ob·vi·ate, verb (used with object), pre·ob·vi·at·ed, pre·ob·vi·at·ing.

un·ob·vi·a·ble, adjectiveun·ob·vi·at·ed, adjective

Can be confusedameliorate obviate vitiate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for obviate

But that does not obviate the U.S. from its statutory obligation to cancel its $1.3 billion aid to the Egyptian military.
Egypt: That Was A Coup|Ali Gharib|July 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mofaz in the government doesn't obviate the enormous technical obstacles to an Israeli strike.
October Surprise?|Elisheva Goldberg|May 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This is most obvious when expensive forms of trash are forced to backflip until they obviate their standard uses.
A Pictorial Ode to Michelle|Stanley Crouch|December 4, 2009|DAILY BEAST
To obviate such difficulties, some instructors demonstrate principles by first angle constructions.
College Teaching|Paul Klapper

To obviate this, a new hospital was set apart, under the reign of Charles X., for the reception of male patients only.
The History of Prostitution|William W. Sanger
To obviate these defects the enamelled platinum denture was devised.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2|Various
Pierce was not ignorant of this, and to obviate Smooth's difficulties, said he would send him Down East, as before related.
The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth|Timothy Templeton
To obviate these difficulties new "Five-Minute" books have been prepared by a competent teacher.
Lessons on Manners|Edith E. Wiggin

British Dictionary definitions for obviate

obviate

/ (ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to avoid or prevent (a need or difficulty)

Derived Formsobviation, noun

Word Origin for obviate

C16: from Late Latin obviātus prevented, past participle of obviāre; see obvious

usage

Only things that have not yet occurred can be obviated. For example, one can obviate a possible future difficulty, but not one that already exists

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obviate

obviate

1590s, "to meet and do away with," from Late Latin obviatus, past participle of obviare "act contrary to, go against," from Latin obvius "that is in the way, that moves against" (see obvious). Related: Obviated; obviating.

obviate

verb (used with object), ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of obviate

Examples from the Web for obviate

obviate

verb

Word Origin for obviate

usage

obviate