obviate

[ob-vee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

obviated, obviating 

1. to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary.

   to obviate the risk of serious injury.

   Synonyms: anticipate, avert, preclude

obviate

/ ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

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

Other Word Forms

• obviation noun
• obviable adjective
• obviator noun
• preobviate verb (used with object)
• unobviable adjective
• unobviated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obviate¹

1590–1600; from Latin obviātus, past participle of obviāre “to act contrary to,” derivative of obvius; obvious, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of obviate¹

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

Example Sentences

Railway lines, trucks, plastic products, electronic communication—all have tended both to obviate the need for manual dexterity and to chip away at people’s pride in self-sufficiency.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Why should private wealth obviate the administration’s responsibility to treat the country’s key structures with the respect they deserve?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The longer the scene, the more likely it was mostly concocted inside a computer, obviating multiple takes, camera angles and union personnel waiting around to engage in spurts of frenzied action.

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Many of its 94 minutes are occupied with well-mounted car chases, stunts and gunfights, obviating the need for character development, past the traditional foes-become-friends dynamic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They also obviate the emotional component of investing, which so often can lead ordinary investors astray.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• counteract 
• forestall 
• preclude