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

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

Sickness can hurt farm output by slowing animals' growth, so disease detection systems could improve efficiency by obviating the need for costly clinical testing.

Read more on Salon

“Yes, the virus is worse, but that doesn’t obviate doing research to make sure that there may be other options.”

Read more on New York Times

Long-acting therapies may obviate the need to remember to take a daily pill to prevent or treat H.I.V.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• counteract 
• forestall 
• preclude