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Added 23 October 2026 · word of the day, 23 October 2026

obviate

/ˈɒb.viˌeɪt/ verb

Latin root: obviātus First recorded: 1567 Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about obviate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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

noun

Synonym of obviative.

adjective

Synonym of obviative.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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