avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid 

avoided; avoiding; avoids

transitive verb

1

a

: to keep away from : shun

They have been avoiding me.

b

: to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness of

avoid further delays

c

: to refrain from

avoid overeating

2

law : to make legally void (see void entry 1 sense 1a) : annul

avoid a plea

3

archaic : to depart or withdraw from : leave

4

obsolete : void, expel

avoidable

ə-ˈvȯi-də-bəl 

adjective

avoidably

ə-ˈvȯi-də-blē 

adverb

avoider noun

Synonyms

• dodge
• duck
• elude
• escape
• eschew
• evade
• finesse
• get around
• scape
• shake
• shirk
• shuffle (out of)
• shun
• weasel (out of)

Choose the Right Synonym for avoid

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something.

escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

Examples of avoid in a Sentence

Why do you keep avoiding me?

She took a detour to avoid the heavy traffic.

They successfully avoided each other for days.

He tried hard to avoid accidents.

We need to avoid further delays.

He was caught trying to avoid arrest.

in an effort to avoid confusion

I'm not going to be late if I can avoid it.

How can I avoid paying too much tax?

I am trying to avoid showing any hint of favoritism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pore-clogging ingredients to avoid include heavy oils, waxes, lanolin, and silicones. —Lacey Muinos, Health, 25 Apr. 2024

Franked mail once allowed members of Congress to avoid using postage and to send mail under their signature. —Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2024

Stoicism and avoiding attention are part of the traditional stunt performers’ code. —Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

Keep in mind that many recipes call for peeling and then grating or cutting the root, so make sure to wear gloves to avoid staining your hands. —Romy Gill, Saveur, 24 Apr. 2024

Please avoid this area and use NW 22 Avenue as an alternate route. —Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

There are plenty of people, across England, nursing a fading hope that Luton Town avoids relegation and sticks around for another year. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Make reservations in advance To avoid disappointment, be sure to make restaurant reservations well in advance — particularly for world-famous restaurants like Pujol, Contramar, Quintonil, and Máximo Bistrot, which can book up months in advance. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2024

The current is your friend; use it to drift your fly to the fish to avoid spooking. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French avoider, alteration of Old French esvuider, from es- (from Latin ex-) + vuider to empty — more at void entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing avoid

• avoid (someone or something) like the plague

Kids Definition

avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid 

1

: to keep away from

they have been avoiding me

2

: to keep from happening

avoid an accident

3

: to keep from doing or being

avoid getting too tired

avoidable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

avoidably

-blē 

adverb

avoider noun

Legal Definition

avoid

transitive verb

1

: to make void or undo : annul

the trustee may avoid any transfer of interest of the debtor in property

—U.S. Code

2

: to respond to (an allegation or averment) by declaring that facts alleged do not result in liability

averments in a pleading to which no responsive pleading is required or permitted shall be taken as denied or avoided

—U.S. Code

see also confession and avoidance compare deny

3

: to prevent the occurrence of or responsibility for especially through lawful means

avoid a tax

compare evade

avoidability noun

avoidable adjective

avoidance noun

Etymology

modification of Old French esvuider to destroy, literally, to empty, from es- out + vuider to empty