ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›O›obviate

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obviate

verb/ˈɑːb.viˌeɪt/

to prevent or remove the need for something

Synonyms

• prevent
• avert
• preclude

Antonyms

• necessitate
• require
• cause

obviate in a sentence

Where it comes from

From Latin obviare, meaning 'to meet or prevent.'

Memory hook

OBVIATE sounds like 'obvious gate': a gate can prevent trouble from entering.

Read it in context

• The Tremor Above Nature
• The Disputed Leaves History

Practice obviate in the app

Study these too

• apocryphal
• avert
• bridle
• lassitude
• perpetuate
• preclude