Obviate
hardNeutral toneOB-vee-ayt
verb
Definition
to prevent or make unnecessary
Memory hook
OBVIATE: 'OB' (in the way) + 'VIA' (road) — you throw a barrier across the ROAD so the problem can never travel down it; you've made dealing with it unnecessary.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“A clear contract at the outset would obviate most later disputes.”
“The new vaccine could obviate the need for annual booster shots entirely.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“A clear contract at the outset would ______ most later disputes.”
Show answer
obviate
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Obviate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "preclude" or "forestall" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "necessitate".
Related GRE Words
forestall
to prevent or hinder by acting in advance
cogent
Clear, logical, and convincing
elude
To evade or escape from skillfully; to fail to be grasped by
fallacious
Based on a mistaken belief or unsound argument
specious
Superficially plausible but actually wrong; misleading
tangential
only slightly relevant; diverging from the main point
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