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Dictionary.com
Definitions

steer clear of

VERB
avoid
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 step aside turn aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
face meet
STRONG
allow help permit stay take on
WEAK
seek want
VERB
beware
Synonyms
STRONGEST
heed take care
STRONG
attend avoid mind notice shun
WEAK
be cautious be wary guard against keep eyes open keep on one's toes keep one's distance look out mind p's and q's refrain from take heed walk on eggs watch one's step watch out
Antonyms
STRONG
disregard face ignore meet neglect
WEAK
court invite risk take on
VERB
circumvent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avoid bypass deceive evade prevent sidestep skirt stymie thwart
STRONG
beat beguile bilk circumnavigate cramp crimp detour disappoint dodge dupe elude ensnare entrap escape foil frustrate hoodwink outflank outwit overreach ruin shun stump trick
WEAK
get around stave off ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist encourage face help meet take on
STRONG
confront encounter free let go liberate release
WEAK
allow permit
VERB
elude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffle confound dodge evade flee foil frustrate outrun outwit puzzle shun stall stonewall thwart
STRONG
bilk circumvent ditch double duck eschew fly shirk shuck shy stump
WEAK
be beyond someone beat around the bush cop out get around get away from give the runaround give the slip give wide berth to hem and haw not touch pass the buck pass up run around stay shy of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abet aid assist clarify clear up encourage enlighten explain face help meet support
WEAK
attract confront encounter entice invite take on
VERB
eschew
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon avoid forgo forswear renounce shun shy away from swear off
STRONG
abjure abstain double duck elude evade refrain sacrifice shy
WEAK
give up have no truck with let well enough alone not touch
Antonyms
STRONGEST
face keep meet
STRONG
take on
WEAK
embrace like love
VERB
evade
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avoid bypass circumvent conceal deceive dodge elude escape fend off flee get around hide sidestep
STRONG
baffle balk cavil confuse decline double duck equivocate eschew fence fly fudge hedge lie parry pretend prevaricate pussyfoot shift shirk shuck shuffle shun shy tergiversate trick waffle
WEAK
beat around bush beg the question cop out give the runaround keep distance lay low lead on a merry chase pass up put off slip slip out sneak away weasel
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confront disclose divulge encounter expose face lay bare let out meet open reveal show stay tell uncover
STRONG
accept aid be honest clear up enlighten explain help order organize release remain tell the truth
WEAK
take on
VERB
shun
Synonyms
STRONGEST
despise disdain eschew neglect pass up refuse reject scorn snub
STRONG
bilk cold-shoulder cut decline ditch dodge double duck elude escape evade shake shy stall
WEAK
get around give a wide berth give the runaround have no part of have nothing to do with hide out keep away from keep clear of palm off shake off stand aloof from stay shy of turn back on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept admire allow approve cherish like love sanction
STRONG
confront encounter face meet take on
VERB
skirt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bypass circumvent dodge elude evade ignore sidestep
STRONG
burke circumnavigate detour duck equivocate escape hedge skip
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confront encounter face meet take on
WEAK
center

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.

A few tips can help you steer clear of so-called residential proxy networks, which have been used to wreak havoc online around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Whether the above is enough for you to steer clear of NordVPN, I’ll leave up to you.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

It advises parents to steer clear of fast-paced videos and use screens together where possible.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

To steer clear of what appears to be a waning chip rally, consider running to a separate area of the stock market.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Either way, I’d made sure to steer clear of the library on visitation days from then on out because, of course, I was never part of family visitation days either.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin