avoid

[uh-void] / əˈvɔɪd /

VERB

refrain or stay away from; prevent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert bypass dodge escape evade fend off shun sidestep ward off

STRONG

abstain circumvent deflect desist ditch divert duck elude eschew flee hide jump obviate recoil shake shirk shy skip skirt weave withdraw

WEAK

circumlocute cold-shoulder fake out give the slip hold off keep clear lay low run for cover shake and bake shake off shrink from shuffle off skip out on skip town stay away stay out steer clear of step aside turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet

STRONG

allow help permit stay take on

WEAK

seek want

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She managed to avoid a costly trip to the emergency room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Anthropic found that the model engaged in a behavior called “alignment faking” — deliberately disguising its true reasoning and dangerous capabilities to avoid being restricted by people.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Those who have mpox should stay at home and avoid contact with other people until their rash is healed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Buffett has said that he has left people in managerial roles even if they don’t meet his standards, preferring to avoid the unpleasant aspects of management.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

I guess she looked at me more, or she didn’t avoid looking at me so much, and I wasn’t watching her out of the corners of my eyeballs anymore.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Vocabulary lists containing avoid

"Brothers in Hope"

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"Do Family Meals Matter?" and "Fish Cheeks"

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Workshop 5, Part 1

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