obviate

[ ob-vee-eyt ]

/ ˈɒb viˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: obviate / obviation on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR obviate

preclude, avert, anticipate.

See synonyms for obviate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of obviate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM obviate

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

Words nearby obviate

obumbrate, obv, obverse, obversion, obvert, obviate, obvious, obviously, obvolute, Obwalden, oc-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obviate in a sentence

This ruling isn’t likely to obviate that plan – the city wants all kinds of projects in that area to be viable, not just density-unit projects.
Politics Report: A Chip Off the Old Coastal Height Limit|Andrew Keatts and Scott Lewis|June 18, 2022|Voice of San Diego
No arguing there, but I actually felt more alive, more present wading in what felt like glacial melt that morning, when the hurt obviated everything but a scream that shifted into a smile.
What Did I Learn from the Swampy Muck of the Florida Trail? That I’m a Kink Hiker.|Patty Hodapp|February 27, 2022|Outside Online
I realized, even with the station a little bit of a distance from my house, having that light rail would obviate the need for car ownership.
A Maryland lawmaker on how not owning a car has shaped her ideas about transportation policy|Ian Duncan|November 18, 2021|Washington Post
I worry that animated versions of the past might give viewers the impression that they know exactly what happened—that the past is fully present to them—which will then obviate the need to learn more about the historical event.
Deepfakes could help us relive history—or rewrite it|Nir Eisikovits/The Conversation|November 8, 2021|Popular-Science

It didn’t obviate my fear of one private organization having that power.
Henry Kissinger’s Last Crusade: Stopping Dangerous AI|Belinda Luscombe|November 5, 2021|Time
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
But this port (to obviate misunderstanding) is not on the Ocean lying eastward, but on that gulf which I have called French bay.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
To obviate the necessity for 'legs,' a simple and efficient substitute is shown in the transverse section.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
It is possible he may have the offer of an appointment in England, which would obviate the necessity of our returning to India.
Robin Redbreast|Mary Louisa Molesworth
Human beings have little occasion to fear mineral starvation, and may obviate whatever danger there may be with a drink of milk.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
Still, if rain came now, he might save enough to obviate the necessity of using Helen's money.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for obviate

obviate

/ (ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of obviate

obviation, noun

Word Origin for obviate

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

usage for obviate

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

obviate

OTHER WORDS FOR obviate

Origin of obviate

OTHER WORDS FROM obviate

Words nearby obviate

Words related to obviate

How to use obviate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obviate

Derived forms of obviate

Word Origin for obviate

usage for obviate