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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

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

How to use obviate in a sentence

AlphaFold might not obviate the need for these laborious and expensive methods—yet—say scientists, but the AI will make it possible to study living things in new ways.
This Week’s Awesome Tech Stories From Around the Web (Through December 5)|Singularity Hub Staff|December 5, 2020|Singularity Hub
They weren’t even compatible with what Giuliani alleged, claiming a vote-rigging that seems as though it would obviate the need to commit the fraud Giuliani was discussing.
What line did Sidney Powell cross that Rudy Giuliani didn’t?|Philip Bump|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
There’s the fact that women generally are paid less than men, which tends to obviate the question of who should be the one to quit if there’s a crisis.
Working moms are not okay|Amy Joyce, Ellen McCarthy|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Iranian funding for its completion has obviated the need for U.S. support for construction funds.
Pakistan’s Crucial Elections: There’s Much at Stake for the U.S.|Shirin Tahir-Kheli|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The entrances are so arranged that everything in the shape of that most objectionable of all things—a draught—is obviated.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
That difficulty was obviated in this case by the strange disguise which the Phocæans had assumed.
Xerxes|Jacob Abbott
The only practical difficulty would spring from the want of highly seasoned wood; and that could be obviated by a little patience.
The College, the Market, and the Court|Caroline H. Dall
If employed at the beginning of the war, it would probably have obviated most of the financial difficulties of the government.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 4|Various
But by the practice now recommended, these several inconveniences are sufficiently obviated.
The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple|John Claudius Loudon

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 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