obviate

v 1: do away with [syn: {rid of}, {eliminate}] [ant: {necessitate}]

2: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's

avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert

a strike" [syn: {debar}, {deflect}, {avert}, {head off}, {stave

off}, {fend off}, {avoid}, {ward off}]