Synonyms of avoid

avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid 

1

as in to evade

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery

trying to avoid writing thank-you notes for the gifts he didn't like

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evade
• escape
• prevent
• eliminate
• dodge
• deflect
• shun
• eschew
• elude
• shake
• circumvent
• thwart
• scape
• steer clear of
• shirk
• exclude
• shuffle (out of)
• keep clear of
• preclude
• duck
• obviate
• avert
• miss
• fight shy of
• get around
• divert
• stay clear of
• weasel (out of)
• finesse
• bypass
• rule out
• ward (off)
• parry
• ban
• debar
• except
• outwit
• frustrate
• foil
• outsmart
• bar
• fox
• outfox
• overreach
• skirt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• seek
• accept
• pursue
• embrace
• welcome
• catch
• incur
• court
• contract

2

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abolish
• cancel
• repeal
• overturn
• vacate
• void
• nullify
• invalidate
• negate
• dismiss
• set aside
• quash
• dissolve
• roll back
• withdraw
• rescind
• abrogate
• suspend
• strike down
• annul
• eliminate
• revoke
• abate
• reverse
• remove
• reject
• do away with
• retract
• forbid
• null
• recall
• veto
• prohibit
• override
• overrule
• disannul
• erase
• ban
• call off
• abort
• enjoin
• disallow
• eradicate
• countermand
• call
• outlaw
• drop
• liquidate
• write off
• annihilate
• throw out
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• found
• enact
• establish
• lay down
• legislate
• legitimate
• institute
• pass
• validate
• allow
• permit
• approve
• authorize
• ratify
• endorse
• order
• prescribe
• warrant
• clear
• legitimize
• legalize
• formalize
• command
• sanction
• indorse
• mandate
• decree

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb avoid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of avoid are elude, escape, eschew, evade, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When might elude be a better fit than avoid?

While the synonyms elude and avoid are close in meaning, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When is it sensible to use escape instead of avoid?

The words escape and avoid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

In what contexts can eschew take the place of avoid?

The words eschew and avoid can be used in similar contexts, but eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can evade be used instead of avoid?

In some situations, the words evade and avoid are roughly equivalent. However, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

Where would shun be a reasonable alternative to avoid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avoid, shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of avoid

The league has a multi-year deal with Main Street Sports Group for those digital rights that will remain in place as long as Main Street Sports meets certain conditions, including avoiding bankruptcy. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Traditionally, presidents such as George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, have followed the long-standing practice of avoiding criticism in a public way. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

Several groups have begun paying street vendors in California to temporarily stop working in public areas to avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

But the majority of Tributary buyers prefer a turnkey home, avoiding the time and effort required to build a custom residence. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025