avoidance

[ uh-void-ns ]

noun

1. the act of avoiding or keeping away from:

   the avoidance of scandal; the avoidance of one's neighbors.

2. Law. a making void; annulment.

Other Words From

• nona·voidance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of avoidance¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French; avoid, -ance

Example Sentences

The professor likened that avoidance of change to leaving the burning platform to blaze unchecked.

From BBC

The United Airlines flight was descending into San Francisco last week when it received a collision avoidance system alert.

From Los Angeles Times

The aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, was traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport when it received a traffic collision avoidance system alert from the Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center Airspace, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Often we label emotions as good or bad, and this can result in fear, avoidance, and unhelpful coping strategies such as emotional eating.

From Salon

He has also shielded his tax information from scrutiny, and reporting in 2020 from The New York Times revealed years of income tax avoidance and chronic financial losses.

From BBC

Related Words

• evasion
• prevention
• restraint