Definitions

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.

He said he doesn’t want to name the exact locations yet to avoid tipping off officials who might try to stop them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

It can provide electricity for only a few hours a day, and people avoid its flattened currency in favor of dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Conventional logic would suggest that Iran should avoid actions that could endanger diplomacy.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

To avoid such problems, tax preparers try to give clients a head start.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

I stay quiet, even when I want to ask a question, because I want to avoid calling attention to myself.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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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