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 of avoidance

• escape
• evasion
• dodging

Examples of avoidance in a Sentence

a writer known for avoidance of sentimentality

a complete avoidance of sentimentality

Recent Examples on the Web

Both are drawn from Spanish auteurist designer Jaime Hayon’s arresting sense of design – a protagonist with a beak nose, shiny colors, an avoidance of sharp angles – which recreates over a century of Spanish design and architecture. —John Hopewell, Variety, 18 June 2026

Excessive choice frequently produces indecision, anxiety and avoidance. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

The cars are used for tests of cars' crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects occupants in a crash, and the performance of crash avoidance technologies that are designed to prevent crashes or lessen their severity. —Keith Laing, USA Today, 16 June 2026

The company also developed collision-avoidance software that prevents the robot’s arms from interfering with each other during operation. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

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