1
as in evading
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abolishing
to put an end to by formal action
asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avoiding
Palencia pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday’s win and had warmed up twice in Monday night’s victory, so Counsell was avoiding the flamethrower on Wednesday.
—
Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Our legislators must make some tough decisions; avoiding the issues is not acceptable.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The main house has stairs, and the parent is already avoiding the second floor.
—Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
An innovative project in Sardinia’s interior—Energy Dome’s grid-scale carbon dioxide battery—seems to be avoiding protest as well.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
After a yearlong legal battle, Baldoni and Lively settled out of court on May 4, avoiding a trial that was set to begin on May 18.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 May 2026
That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Oil conglomerates can buy crude in one country, refine it overseas, and sell finished products in the United States, thereby avoiding the compliance costs imposed by the RFS.
—Robert Romano, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
In the months after, some cruise lines started avoiding Tracy Arm.
—Ezgi Karasözen, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Our legislators must make some tough decisions; avoiding the issues is not acceptable.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The main house has stairs, and the parent is already avoiding the second floor.
—Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
An innovative project in Sardinia’s interior—Energy Dome’s grid-scale carbon dioxide battery—seems to be avoiding protest as well.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
After a yearlong legal battle, Baldoni and Lively settled out of court on May 4, avoiding a trial that was set to begin on May 18.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 May 2026
That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Oil conglomerates can buy crude in one country, refine it overseas, and sell finished products in the United States, thereby avoiding the compliance costs imposed by the RFS.
—Robert Romano, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
In the months after, some cruise lines started avoiding Tracy Arm.
—Ezgi Karasözen, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avoiding
Verb
-
Committee Democrats asked Lutnick repeatedly about that visit, but came away from the interview frustrated with Lutnick and accused him of evading their questions.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Abbushi was on post release community supervision and had an outstanding felony warrant for evading a police officer in another Bay Area county, the Sheriff's Office said.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Louisiana lawmakers sent a bill to the governor's desk Wednesday abolishing his job.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In April 2025, a motley crew gathered in New York City for a conference at Columbia University on abolishing the infinite.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors have charged the 26-year-old Talley with murder, attempted murder and escaping from police, among other charges.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Social Security Administration’s actuaries have found repealing the retirement earnings test will ultimately reduce trust fund costs, Adcock said.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
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That showed again how poorly the Legislature served the voters by repealing Florida’s runoff primary 21 years ago.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But in a complaint filed in federal court Tuesday, the Teamsters alleged the zoo had locked the workers out of the zoo’s computer system, preventing the zookeepers from accessing new medications and refills for the animals in their care.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles; a second dose boosts effectiveness even further — to 97%, according to the CDC.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Also, know your rights when canceling.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
7 May 2026
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Kennedy, a long-time anti-vaccine activist, has been particularly critical of mRNA technology, canceling hundreds of millions in research funding and making claims not backed by scientific evidence.—
Sneha S K,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Dramatic footage showed police officers dodging rocks and sticks while rioters smashed police cars and set a police van on fire.—
Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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They are often seen dodging screaming church members and security guards until they are ultimately escorted out.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garcia Torres’ appellate attorney who secured the ruling overturning the conviction also did not respond to messages seeking comment.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Election law experts contend that the scenario of Republicans successfully overturning election results is unlikely, with legal remedies available to prevent stalling and ensure certification of results by January 3 when the new Congress convenes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avoiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avoiding. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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