Definitions

steer clear of

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avoid v.
beware v.
circumvent v.
elude v.
eschew v.
evade v.
shun v.
skirt v.

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.

See Examples For:

steer clear of

News of the food-safety scare might make consumers steer clear of Chipotle restaurants temporarily, and the chain might have to run promotions to get them back, the analysts said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

Rob Loft, of Yor-Pest Control, said he tended to "steer clear" of shooting the birds but "in tricky places, for public health, it's got to be done".

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

We’re definitely going to steer clear of that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

It would seem reasonable to steer clear of these winners.

From Barron's ● May 18, 2026

I asked you to steer clear of the nest because the birds won’t fly to it if they see you—not smell, but actually see you near it.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

steer clear of

Example Sentences

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