obviate

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To anticipate and prevent or bypass (something which would otherwise have been necessary or required); to render (something) unnecessary.
2. (transitive) To avoid (a future problem or difficult situation).

Noun

Synonym of obviative.

Adj

Synonym of obviative.

Synonyms

prevent

forestall

preclude

hinder

avert

head off

debar

deflect

rid of

forefend

impede

avoid

forfend

eliminate

arrest

block

eject

anticipate

stave off

ward off

obstruct

foreclose

stop

🛑

fend off

remove

block out

cull

crush

cut out

blockade

cross out

cross off

cross

evade

cramp

bilk

ablate

close out

clear

bar

eleminate

circumvent

edit

embarrass

eschew

estop

drive out

excise

exorcise

choke off

Translations

prévenir

empêcher

🛑

evitar

ovviare

obviar

éviter

prevenir

αποτρέπω

prevenire

obvier

impedir

evitar

impedire

impedir

voorkomen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɒb.viˌeɪt/

Etymology

First attested in 1567; borrowed from Latin obviātus, perfect passive participle of obviō (“to block, to hinder”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).