avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯi-dᵊn(t)s 

1

obsolete

a

: an action of emptying, vacating, or clearing away

b

: outlet

2

: annulment sense 1

3

: an act or practice of avoiding or withdrawing from something

Synonyms

• cop-out
• dodging
• ducking
• eluding
• elusion
• escape
• eschewal
• eschewing
• evasion
• out
• shaking
• shunning

Examples of avoidance in a Sentence

a writer known for avoidance of sentimentality

a complete avoidance of sentimentality

Recent Examples on the Web

His office then issued reams of photographs and video clips from the hospital, where Mr. Netanyahu also made a public statement, breaking the customary avoidance of government activity on the Jewish Sabbath. —Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 9 June 2024

The Tahoe earned the worst rating of Poor for its headlight performance, an important aspect of nighttime road safety, and its pedestrian collision avoidance technology failed nighttime tests spectacularly, sending the child-sized dummy flying and earning the Tahoe a Marginal rating in the test. —Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 7 June 2024

And that points to a difference in strategy: Periodical cicadas rely on defense in numbers, whereas the annual ones have evolved more bug-level predator avoidance systems. —Benji Jones, Vox, 3 June 2024

Shortly before being contacted by Mayes' agents, Giuliani had posted a taunting message to the X social media platform referring to his avoidance of being served in the case. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 18 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s 

: the act or an instance of avoiding something

Medical Definition

avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s 

often attributive

: the act or practice of keeping away from or withdrawing from something undesirable

reinforced by escape or avoidance of electric shock

—E. S. Katkin & E. N. Murray

avoidance learning

especially : an anticipatory response undertaken to avoid a noxious stimulus

conditioned avoidance in mice