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{%type%} Definitions

WordNet 3.0Copyright Princeton University
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Short "hint"

To prevent or avoid a problem or the need to do something. To anticipate and take care of ahead of time.

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Usage examples (36)
  • As it rained, we all held large paper bags over our heads to obviate the need to return to the hairdresser.
  • Edit: In a (rare) moment of self-doubt I looked up 'obviate' wondering if it's one of those words I've either misheard or used incorrectly.
  • D. Cockey, to obviate confounding him with some other T.
  • Some contractors advocate tamping the mortar coat to obviate this danger.
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The Open Dictionary of English is a collaborative project, based on Open Source materials, LearnThat resources, and partner APIs.
We give special thanks to our LearnThat volunteers, as well as Princeton University and Wiktionary for their Open Source word data. We're also grateful for the support given by Google, Wordnik.com, Dictionary.com, Stands4.com and YouTube, OEDILF.com, Kylescholz.com, Best-Practice.com, Forvo.com, as well as the generous Creative Commons community.