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

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

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

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

“There’s not much question that Congress could have obviated all this and solved the issue for any of this litigation,” Willinger said.

From Seattle Times

For example, NuScale engineers rely on convection to drive cooling water through the core of each SMR, obviating the need for expensive pumps.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• counteract
• forestall
• preclude