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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avoid
But Eisner speculates that this may have festered within Ela over the ensuing years, thereby sparking her desire for vengeance on Forde—who may have confessed to his affair with Ela to avoid being prosecuted for the 1321 raid.
—
ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Doing so prevents on-ball defenders from being left behind the play trying to fight through a screen, but the approach necessitates defenders who can guard a variety of positions to avoid mismatches after switching.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Yet Trump held his fire, in part because of an effort to avoid an escalation that would trigger Musk to declare all-out war against Republican lawmakers weighing the future of a bill essential to his entire agenda, according to two White House officials.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The team’s careful planning and early outreach helped avoid problems in the future, like having to replace important music in post-production – something that simply wasn’t an option here.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for avoid
ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Doing so prevents on-ball defenders from being left behind the play trying to fight through a screen, but the approach necessitates defenders who can guard a variety of positions to avoid mismatches after switching.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Yet Trump held his fire, in part because of an effort to avoid an escalation that would trigger Musk to declare all-out war against Republican lawmakers weighing the future of a bill essential to his entire agenda, according to two White House officials.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The team’s careful planning and early outreach helped avoid problems in the future, like having to replace important music in post-production – something that simply wasn’t an option here.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for avoid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avoid
Verb
-
The last few months have borne witness to AI systems learning to mislead, cheat, and try to evade shutdown—even resorting to blackmail.—
Harry Booth,
Time,
3 June 2025
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Massey has evaded hundreds of authorities in a multistate manhunt.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The initiative has its critics, who fear that abolishing property taxes would leave local governments without sufficient funds to support crucial public services.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
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The latter is known for his misogynistic statements, and has promised to follow through on Mr. Yoon’s commitment to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family.—
Yejin Gim,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 June 2025
Verb
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While restaurants, meatpackers and countless other businesses now risk having workers targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, tech employers have largely escaped Trump administration scrutiny for their use of foreign labor.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
3 June 2025
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The main thing to avoid is a wide-mouthed glass, which lets aromas escape too quickly.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Russia initially built for Egypt before Cairo canceled the contract would be delivered to Tehran instead.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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All incoming and outgoing flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport have been canceled.—
Christina Wilkie,Anniek Bao,Riya Bhattacharjee,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Nations begin to covet their AI and set up barriers to prevent other nations from stealing or copying the early AGI systems. Year 2037: Advances in AI showcase human-like situational adaptability and innovation.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Sabalenka’s 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 win in the semifinals prevents Swiatek from becoming the first woman to win four consecutive championships in Paris.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
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An effort to repeal the law completely did not advance the spring legislative session, while the vote for the delay came on the session’s last day.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
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The group, known as the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, is hoping to persuade voters to repeal the ordinance.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Blue Diamond notified employees Friday morning that the site will wind down over the course of two years, eliminating 600 jobs.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Setting up restrictions for users could help eliminate internal theft and fraud and aid the investigation if an attack such as this were to occur.—
Renee Schafer,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Adeyemi then had a penalty overturned in the 35th minute.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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But the decision was overturned to a no-contest after Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avoid. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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