obviate

[ ob-vee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌobviˈation, noun

Other Words From

• ob·vi·a·ble [ob, -vee-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• obvi·ation noun
• obvi·ator noun
• pre·obvi·ate verb (used with object) preobviated preobviating
• un·obvi·a·ble adjective
• un·obvi·ated 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

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Popular-Science

It didn’t obviate my fear of one private organization having that power.

From Time

But that does not obviate the U.S. from its statutory obligation to cancel its $1.3 billion aid to the Egyptian military.

From The Daily Beast

Mofaz in the government doesn'€™t obviate the enormous technical obstacles to an Israeli strike.

From The Daily Beast

This is most obvious when expensive forms of trash are forced to backflip until they obviate their standard uses.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

To obviate the necessity for 'legs,' a simple and efficient substitute is shown in the transverse section.

From Project Gutenberg

It is possible he may have the offer of an appointment in England, which would obviate the necessity of our returning to India.

From Project Gutenberg

Human beings have little occasion to fear mineral starvation, and may obviate whatever danger there may be with a drink of milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, if rain came now, he might save enough to obviate the necessity of using Helen's money.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• counteract
• forestall
• preclude