3 syllables: Ob, vi, ate. Stress on Ob.
AHB-vee-ayt
/ˈɑbviˌeɪt/
Obviate is pronounced AHB-vee-ayt (/ˈɑbviˌeɪt/). It has three syllables (Ob-vi-ate), with the stress on "Ob". Obviate is a verb meaning to remove a need or difficulty by taking action in advance. It implies preventing a problem before it arises, making an outcome unnecessary or easier. The term is common in formal or technical writing and is often used to describe proactive measures that render complications moot.
verbObviate is a verb meaning to remove a need or difficulty by taking action in advance. It implies preventing a problem before it arises, making an outcome unnecessary or easier. The term is common in formal or technical writing and is often used to describe proactive measures that render complications moot.
"The new safety protocol obviates the risk of electrical shock."
"These automated checks obviate the need for manual inspections."
"A redesign could obviate several legal obstacles before they appear."
Obviate is pronounced OB-vee-ate, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈɒb.viˌeɪt/. The sequence is two consonants after the initial vowel, leading into a second, light syllable: -vi- as a quick, unstressed middle, ending with a clear long -ate /eɪt/. Think about a short, quick 'bvi' bridge and end with a crisp /eɪt/. You can hear it as two beats: OB-vi-ate, with the 'vi' lightly connected to the final vowel.
Common mistakes include softening the initial ob- to 'uhb-' or misplacing stress on the second syllable (ob-vee-ATE). Some learners say ‘ob-vee-ate’ with an unnecessary extra syllable or reduce the second syllable to ‘-ate’ as in ‘wait,’ making it sound like ob-vee-ATE instead of OB-vi-ate. Another pitfall is blending /ˈɒb/ with an American /ɑ/ or mispronouncing /vi/ as /viː/ or confusing the final /eɪt/ with /et/. Correcting them: keep /ˈɒb/ sharp, maintain a light /vi/ without adding a full vowel, and end clearly with /eɪt/.
Across US/UK/AU, the primary difference is vowel quality in the first syllable: US/UK typically use /ˈɒb/ with a low back rounded vowel in British English and similar in American; AU can be closer to /ˈɒb/ but often with slightly more opened vowels. The /eɪt/ ending remains a diphthong in all three, though Australian speakers may show a slightly less pronounced diphthong and freer gliding. The /vi/ is a short, unstressed syllable in all variants; rhoticity affects only the preceding syllable’s vowel color in some speakers, not the core consonants.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable structure with a light mid-syllable /vi/ and the final /eɪt/ diphthong, which can be misarticulated as a hard /e/ or clipped /t/. The initial /ˈɒb/ should be crisp, which can be challenging for speakers whose native language doesn’t use open back vowels near /ɒ/. The sequence requires clean consonants, fast transition between /b/ and /v/ and careful timing to avoid elongating the middle syllable. Practicing with word pairs and recordings helps stabilize the rhythm.
A unique aspect of obviate is the light, almost clipped internal /vi/ that links to the strong final diphthong /eɪt/. This tri-syllabic flow can be tricky because the middle consonant cluster is minimal, so you should avoid inserting extra vowels. Focus on a quick, almost nasal /v/ transition into /i/ and maintain a steady /eɪt/ at the end. The key tip is to keep the middle syllable brief while ensuring the final /eɪt/ remains crisp and audible.
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US: rhotic, flat /ɒ/ vowel quality in /ˈɒb/; UK: slightly rounded /ɒ/ with longer fronting; AU: more centralized or open fronted depending on speaker. In all, /vi/ remains unstressed and short; /eɪt/ is a clear glide. Vowel shifts may alter the /ɒ/ quality toward /ɑ/ or /ɔ/, so monitor your mouth shape. Real-time listening helps; imitate native speech patterns and adjust until your /eɪ/ ends with a full glide.
Obviate comes from the Latin obviatus, past participle of obviare, meaning to go in the way of or to provide a way to avoid. The prefix ob- means toward or against, and via means road or way; together they convey making something come into the way of avoidance. In Latin, obvius meant in the way, easy to perceive, or directly opposed. In English, the sense evolved by the 17th century to mean to remove an obstacle or make something unnecessary. The word entered print in the 17th century in legal and technical writing, retaining its sense of preempting problems by taking preventive action. Over time, obviate broadened into general usage in formal discourse, business, and policy discussions, where recommending measures that obviate risks is a common rhetorical strategy. The pronunciation remained stable through English adoption, with the initial syllable stressed and a final -ate as a typical verb suffix. First known uses appear in early modern legal treatises and scientific writings, where the emphasis on foreseeing and eliminating potential burdens was especially valued. The word’s formal tone continues to suit contexts that value proactive problem-solving and risk mitigation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Obviate" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Obviate" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Obviate"
-ate sounds
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