avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio)
Definition of avoidnext
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

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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

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

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.
Recent Examples of avoid Hop on a scooter to wind through the island’s melodic rainforest or paddle out to Koh Nok on a kayak for a day trip (side note: boat tours tend to stop here around lunch time, aim for earlier in the day to avoid the crowds). —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025 Deer can wreak havoc on your garden so growing deer-resistant groundcovers can be a good way to avoid browsing damage. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025 Pet owners should also ensure that their felines' rabies vaccinations are up to date to avoid the risk of confusion between the two viral infections. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025 In a post on X, the NYPD asked people to avoid the area as the investigation proceeded. —Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avoid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avoid
  1. evade
  2. abolish
  3. escape
  4. cancel
  5. prevent
  6. repeal
  7. eliminate
  8. overturn
Verb
  • Colt escapes by initially driving a speedboat while facing away from the controls, evades his pursuers by zigging and zagging through the river, and then purposefully drives his boat into a floating pontoon, faking his own death via the gigantic explosion.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Now, however, DHS states that the previous rules hindered law enforcement efforts by creating sites where people without legal status could evade capture.
    — Jackie Fortiér, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of evade
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the current administration under President Trump has moved to abolish federal DEI programs.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 28 Feb. 2025
  • That was weeks after the end of the U.S. Civil War but months before the 13th Amendment abolished slavery nationwide.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • His songs convey a profound restlessness—a yearning to escape and leave his past behind, reflecting an unease with his circumstances.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Seeking escape from an uneasy family life, Gene was entranced by the movies.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of escape
Verb
  • First, the Eye network canceled the FBI spinoffs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
    — Marc Berman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • South Korean law allows prosecutors to continue to hold a suspect while pursuing an appeal, even after the suspect's arrest is canceled by a court.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • Fortunately, there are treatments to help manage your symptoms, slow disease progression, and prevent organ damage.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Walker also asked Murphy what prevented the state from addressing what government leaders maintain is a critical health issue for children.
    — Dara Kam, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of prevent
Verb
  • Democrats see the Medicaid cuts that are likely to be included in whatever legislation House Republicans put together as a salient line of political attack, akin to their efforts to campaign in 2018 on the GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The resolution would unlock a mega-reconciliation bill to bolster oil and gas drilling and repeal IRA programs.
    — Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • The Trump administration announced plans on Thursday (Feb. 27) to eliminate more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts, as well as $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance worldwide, according to the Associated Press.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Their goal is to eliminate the stress, confusion and frustration that selling a home creates.
    — KC Property Group, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of eliminate
Verb
  • According to the appeal, Sergio Correa is seeking for his conviction to be overturned and a new trial.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Utley was suspended two games by MLB, but the suspension was overturned.
    — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of overturn

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Cite this Entry

“Avoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avoid. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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