Definition of OBVIATING

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Obviate derives from Late Latin obviare (meaning "to meet or withstand") and Latin obviam, which means "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 new medical treatment obviates the need for surgery. The new treatment obviates many of the risks associated with surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web Vaccination certificates may ultimately obviate the need for quarantine on arrival, a policy which is currently impeding the return of regular international tourism worldwide. — Joshua Cohen, Forbes, "Importance Of Formulating A U.S. Policy On Covid-19 Vaccine Passports To Facilitate Future International Travel," 12 Apr. 2021 Philip had intercoms installed, for example, to obviate the need for messengers. — New York Times, "Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Is Dead at 99," 9 Apr. 2021 The process is called in-ovo sexing, and such technologies, versions of which are already deployed in some countries, can obviate the need for live chick culling. — Jonathan Moens, Smithsonian Magazine, "Can New Technologies Eliminate the Grim Practice of Chick Culling?," 17 Mar. 2021 The process is called in-ovo sexing, and such technologies, versions of which are already deployed in some countries, can obviate the need for live chick culling. — Jonathan Moens, Smithsonian Magazine, "Can New Technologies Eliminate the Grim Practice of Chick Culling?," 17 Mar. 2021 Despite their origins, float tanks have become another adaptation to reality rather than an escape from it, offering a faddish business plan or a way to obviate the need for rest in a society that can’t tolerate inefficiency. — New York Times, "How Nothingness Became Everything We Wanted," 19 Jan. 2021 Although the trade deal should obviate much of that, some customs checks and headaches undoubtedly lie ahead. — Los Angeles Times, "Auld lang syne: Britain and the EU finally part ways," 31 Dec. 2020 Digitization doesn’t obviate the need for physical assets. — Greg Ip, WSJ, "Covid-19 Propelled Businesses Into the Future. Ready or Not.," 26 Dec. 2020 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. — Author: Amy Joyce, Ellen Mccarthy, Anchorage Daily News, "Mothers are being driven out of the workforce in droves by the pandemic," 30 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obviate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.