avoid

American  

[uh-void] / əˈvɔɪd /

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.

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avoid British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• avoidable adjective
• avoidably adverb
• avoider noun
• nonavoidable adjective
• nonavoidableness noun
• nonavoidably adverb
• unavoiding adjective

Etymology

Origin of avoid

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

Example Sentences

Advocates like Aiello are now racing to secure measures to avoid catastrophe before the frontier is closed.

From Los Angeles Times

The county's fire and rescue service earlier warned people to avoid the area and is expected to provide an update shortly.

From BBC

Six taxpayers feature on the list despite leaving the UK in the past year, amid reports of wealthy individuals relocating to avoid higher taxes and the end of non-dom status.

From BBC

That means it can influence the gut microbiome without affecting the rest of the body, helping to avoid toxicity and unwanted side effects.

From Science Daily

He later reportedly said he had decided to resign to avoid damaging Fico politically.

From BBC

Related Words

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