Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense obviates, present participle obviating, past tense, past participle obviated
verb
To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary.
[formal]
Our old-fashioned push-mower, for instance, obviates the needs for extension leads. [VERB noun]
This deferral would obviate pressure on the rouble exchange rate. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: avert, avoid, remove, prevent More Synonyms of obviate
obviate in British English
(ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt)
verb
(transitive)
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
obviation (ˌobviˈation)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin obviātus prevented, past participle of obviāre; see obvious
obviate in American English
(ˈɑbviˌeɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈobviˌated or ˈobviˌating
to do away with or prevent by effective measures; make unnecessary
Derived forms
obviation (ˌobviˈation)
noun
Word origin
< LL obviatus, pp. of obviare, to prevent < obvius: see obvious
Examples of 'obviate' in a sentence
obviate
His manner seemed to obviate questions as to why he had neither telephoned nor turned up the night before.
Alan Judd THE DEVIL'S OWN WORK (2002)
For a moment Anna didn't know whether the joking warmth of Thomas's tone would obviate the irony of his words.
Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (2002)
`Perhaps we can obviate toil on your part and disturbance on ours.
various (2002)
(verb)
Definition
to avoid or prevent (a need or difficulty)
(formal)
This would obviate the need for a surgical operation.
Synonyms
avert
A fresh tragedy was narrowly averted yesterday.
avoid
She had to take emergency action to avoid a disaster.
remove
prevent
We took steps to prevent it happening.
These methods prevent pregnancy.
counter
They discussed a plan to counter the effects of such a blockade.
do away with
preclude
The fact that they live in London precludes them from coming.
counteract
pills to counteract high blood pressure
ward off
stave off
a desperate attempt to stave off defeat
forestall
They had done little to forestall the attack.
render unnecessary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of avoid
Definition
to prevent from happening
She had to take emergency action to avoid a disaster.
Synonyms
prevent,
stop,
frustrate,
hamper,
foil,
inhibit,
head off,
avert,
thwart,
intercept,
hinder,
obstruct,
impede,
ward off,
stave off,
forestall,
defend against
in the sense of counter
Definition
to oppose or act against
They discussed a plan to counter the effects of such a blockade.
Synonyms
oppose,
meet,
block,
resist,
offset,
parry,
deflect,
repel,
rebuff,
fend off,
counteract,
ward off,
stave off,
repulse,
obviate (formal),
hold at bay
in the sense of counteract
Definition
to act against or neutralize
pills to counteract high blood pressure
Synonyms
offset,
negate,
neutralize,
invalidate,
counterbalance,
annul,
obviate (formal),
countervail
Nearby words of
obviate
obtrusive
obtrusively
obtuse
obviate
obvious
obviously
occasion
Synonyms of 'obviate'
obviate
Explore 'obviate' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of forestall
Definition
to delay, stop, or guard against beforehand
They had done little to forestall the attack.
Synonyms
prevent,
stop,
frustrate,
anticipate,
head off,
parry,
thwart,
intercept,
hinder,
preclude,
balk,
circumvent,
obviate (formal),
nip in the bud,
provide against
in the sense of preclude
Definition
to make impossible to happen
The fact that they live in London precludes them from coming.
Synonyms
prevent,
stop,
check,
exclude,
restrain,
prohibit,
inhibit,
hinder,
forestall,
debar
in the sense of prevent
Definition
to keep (someone from doing something)
We took steps to prevent it happening.These methods prevent pregnancy.