obviate
verb (used with object)
to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary.
obviating
-
present participleof obviate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It can surface reliable restaurant recommendations nearby, obviating long searches through Google Maps or Yelp.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
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.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
Sickness can hurt farm output by slowing animals' growth, so disease detection systems could improve efficiency by obviating the need for costly clinical testing.
From Salon ● May 15, 2024
The information contained in a paper return could be squirted over a modem as a series of 0’s and 1’s, obviating the need to kill trees and race to the post office.
From Slate ● Feb. 1, 2024
A gibbous moon rose above the shoulder of 27,824-foot Makalu, washing the slope beneath my boots in ghostly light, obviating the need for a headlamp.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
