Which word means to anticipate and make unnecessary; to avoid the need to do something?

Which word means to anticipate and make unnecessary; to avoid the need to do something?

• A. Mea culpa
• B. Obviate
• C. Propitious
• D. Trite

Answer: (B)

Anticipating a need and removing the necessity for an action is captured by obviate. It means you take steps so that a particular task won’t be required later or you prevent a problem before it arises. For example, updating the software to include automatic backups can obviate the need for manual data backups every night. In other contexts, obviate often appears in formal writing to describe actions that remove potential obstacles or requirements in advance. Mea culpa refers to admitting fault or guilt, not preventing something. Propitious means favorably inclined or advantageous, not the act of avoiding an action. Trite describes something worn-out or overused, not removal of a need.

Anticipating a need and removing the necessity for an action is captured by obviate. It means you take steps so that a particular task won’t be required later or you prevent a problem before it arises. For example, updating the software to include automatic backups can obviate the need for manual data backups every night. In other contexts, obviate often appears in formal writing to describe actions that remove potential obstacles or requirements in advance.

Mea culpa refers to admitting fault or guilt, not preventing something. Propitious means favorably inclined or advantageous, not the act of avoiding an action. Trite describes something worn-out or overused, not removal of a need.