Obviate
/ˈɑːb.vi.eɪt/
verbC1
Definition
To obviate means to stop a problem or need before it starts. When you obviate something, you take action that makes it not needed or not possible to happen. It is often used when talking about removing difficulties or risks in advance.
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See It in Action
To prevent a problem or difficulty from happening
- •The new security system obviates the risk of theft.
- •Careful planning can obviate many future problems.
- •Installing smoke detectors obviates the danger of fire going unnoticed.
To make something unnecessary by solving it early
- •The invention of the telephone obviated the need for sending letters.
- •Her clear instructions obviated the need for further explanation.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "obviate" like "stop," but more about stopping problems before they even begin
- ✓Picture a person fixing a broken bridge before anyone tries to cross it, so no one falls
- ✓It's the feeling of preparing very well so you don’t have to worry later
- ✓Sounds like "OB-vee-ate" → imagine saying "Oh, be very aware!" to avoid trouble ahead
- ✓Think of a safety net that catches you before you fall, preventing injury altogether
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means you don’t pay attention), obviate means you act to prevent the problem
- ✓NOT like "fix" (which happens after a problem), obviate means to stop the problem before it starts
- ✓NOT like "avoid" (which means to stay away), obviate means to remove the need or problem completely
Try Other Words
- •Prevent: to stop something from happening (Use when the focus is on stopping a problem simply)
- •Avoid: to stay away from something (Use when you want to express keeping away rather than removing the problem)
- •Remove: to take something away (Use when you want to say the problem or need no longer exists)
- •Eliminate: to completely get rid of something (Use when the problem is fully solved or ended)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ob-" (against, in front of) + "via" (way, road) + "-ate" (verb ending) → literally "to put in the way against" or "to remove the way for"
- •Etymology: From Latin "obviare," meaning "to meet, to prevent"
- •Historical development: Originally meant to meet or stand in the way, later developed to mean preventing or removing obstacles
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or academic language to describe preventing problems or making something unnecessary before it happens
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you took action to obviate a problem before it became serious? What did you do?
•How does obviating difficulties early change the way people plan or prepare for the future?
Fill in the blanks
1.Installing antivirus software can obviate ___ the risk of computer viruses.
2.Good communication often obviates ___ misunderstandings between people.
3.The new technology obviates ___ the need for manual calculations.
4.Obviate is different from avoid because it means ___ the problem completely, not just staying away.
5.To obviate a problem, you usually have to act ___ before it happens.
6.When a teacher explains clearly, it can obviate ___ the need for extra lessons.
7.Safety measures are designed to obviate ___ accidents in the workplace.