obviate
Definitions
To remove or prevent a difficulty in advance; to make something unnecessary
（预先）排除，消除（困难）；使…成为不必要
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedob- (in the way of, to meet) + via (road) + -ate (verb) = 'to go meet something on the road and block it.' To obviate a problem is to head it off before it reaches you, clearing the path in advance. To obviate the need for something is to make that need disappear by removing the obstacle ahead of time.
Usage Guide
Formal, common in academic and technical writing. The classic pattern is obviate the need for X = make X unnecessary. Typical objects are problems to be removed: obviate the need / the difficulty / the risk / the problem — not things you want to keep. Note it means 'prevent/make unnecessary,' NOT 'be obvious.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
Careful planning can obviate many of these risks.
- 2.
The new software obviates the need for manual data entry.
- 3.
A clear contract obviates most future disputes.
Easily Confused
obviate vs obviously — they share a root but have nothing to do with each other in use. obviate (verb) = prevent or make unnecessary; obvious/obviously = plain to see. A learner who meets obviate may wrongly assume it means 'to make obvious' — it does not.