avoid

[ uh-void ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep away from; keep clear of; shun:

   to avoid a person;

   to avoid taxes;

   to avoid danger.

   Synonyms: dodge, elude, evade

   Antonyms: encounter, face, confront

2. to prevent from happening:

   to avoid falling.

3. Law. to make void or of no effect; invalidate.
4. Obsolete. to empty; eject or expel.

avoid

/ əˈvɔɪd /

verb

1. to keep out of the way of
2. to refrain from doing
3. to prevent from happening

   to avoid damage to machinery

4. law to make (a plea, contract, etc) void; invalidate; quash
5. obsolete.
   to expel
6. obsolete.
   to depart from

Derived Forms

• aˈvoidably, adverb
• aˈvoidable, adjective
• aˈvoider, noun

Other Words From

• a·voida·ble adjective
• a·voida·bly adverb
• a·voider noun
• nona·voida·ble adjective
• nona·voida·ble·ness noun
• nona·voida·bly adverb
• una·voiding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of avoid¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English avoiden, from Anglo-French avoider, equivalent to a- ⁴( def ) + void ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of avoid¹

C14: from Anglo-French avoider, from Old French esvuidier, from vuidier to empty, void

Synonym Study

Avoid, escape mean to come through a potentially harmful or unpleasant experience, without suffering serious consequences. To avoid is to succeed in keeping away from something dangerous or undesirable: to avoid meeting an enemy. Escape suggests encountering peril but coming through it safely: to escape drowning.

Example Sentences

Non-essential construction has also been banned, and citizens told to avoid burning coal.

From BBC

By nominating Gaetz, and him subsequently resigning from Congress, Trump helped a loyalist avoid potential embarrassment, if not worse: As Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, the House can no longer issue a report about him.

From Salon

In a statement to parliament, Gray said he should have attended a greater variety of games to avoid giving the impression he was acting "more as a fan and less as a minister".

From BBC

It may also help more people avoid having an eviction on their record, which can make it difficult to secure new housing.

From Los Angeles Times

Following the Coltart report, Smyth faced deportation from Zimbabwe but Graystone says he used his significant connections to avoid this, lobbying various cabinet ministers - some of whose sons had attended his camps - with suggestions that even then-President Robert Mugabe was approached by one of Smyth’s associates.

From BBC

Related Words

• avert
• bypass
• dodge
• escape
• evade
• fend off
• shun
• sidestep
• ward off