avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio)
avoided; avoiding; avoids
Synonyms of avoidnext

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 How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adjective
avoidably
ə-ˈvȯi-də-blē How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adverb
avoider noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scott crashed into another vehicle while attempting to avoid the shots. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The MacBook and Mac mini have traditionally avoided the iPhone's rainbow of color options, usually sticking to sedate bare metal and gray or silver finishes. —Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 Last year, France proposed a ban on social media for those under 15, though users were able to avoid the ban with parental consent. —Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 Most legal observers expect Trump to avoid jail time, given his status as a first-time offender and sentences handed down for the same crime in other cases. —Patrick Maguire, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for avoid 

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 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of avoid was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing avoid

Dictionary Entries Near avoid

avogram

avoid

avoidance

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Avoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avoid. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

avoid

verb
ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio)
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 How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adjective
avoidably
-blē How to pronounce avoid (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on avoid

Nglish: Translation of avoid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of avoid for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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