Obviate
What it means
To remove a need, difficulty, or possible problem.
Reach for it when describing a change that removes a need or prevents a foreseeable difficulty
A covered walkway will obviate the need for rain delays.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
avoid
Fits when an unwanted outcome does not occur
Careful Avoiding a problem may leave its cause intact.
-
everyday
remove the need for
Fits when maximum clarity matters more than compact style
Careful The expanded phrase is longer but usually plainer.
-
professional
eliminate
Fits when the need or problem is removed completely
Careful Eliminate makes the stronger claim of complete removal.
-
professional
prevent
Fits when action stops an event before it occurs
Careful Prevent does not fit removing an existing need.
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formal
preclude
Fits when conditions make an outcome impossible
Careful Preclude is stronger and more legalistic.
-
literary
forestall
Fits when early action delays or blocks trouble
Careful Forestall may only postpone the problem.
Opposites 3
- necessitate
- cause
- invite
Common phrases 3
-
obviate the need
A covered walkway will obviate the need for rain delays.
-
obviate a problem
Early calibration can obviate a problem at final assembly.
-
largely obviate
Shared storage would largely obviate duplicate purchases.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Obviate already means remove a need; 'obviate the need for' is standard, while 'obviate against' is usually an error.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Paul2520, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated