obviate
verb
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Obviate derives from the Late Latin obviare (meaning "to meet or withstand") and the Latin obviam (meaning "in the way") and is also an ancestor of our adjective obvious. Obviate has a number of synonyms in English, including prevent, preclude, and avert; all of these words can mean "to hinder or stop something." When you prevent or preclude something, you put up an insurmountable obstacle. In addition, preclude often implies that a degree of chance was involved in stopping an event. Obviate generally suggests the use of intelligence or forethought to ward off trouble. Avert always implies that a bad situation has been anticipated and prevented or deflected by the application of immediate and effective means.
Examples of obviate in a Sentence
The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
This or risk being obviated by selling software tools to a shrinking user base.
—Ray Zhou, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
But the fact that the document is meant for experts doesn’t obviate the need for its overarching message to at least be decipherable to the public.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obviate
Cite this Entry
“Obviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obviate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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obviate
verb
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