avoidance

[uh-void-ns]

noun

1. the act of avoiding or keeping away from.

   the avoidance of scandal; the avoidance of one's neighbors.

2. Law.,  a making void; annulment.

Other Word Forms

• nonavoidance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of avoidance¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French; avoid, -ance

Example Sentences

However, the conversation largely affirmed existing research: dose matters, not avoidance.

From Salon

The women testified to varying degrees of shame, guilt, anxiety, avoidance and trauma from their dealings with Poe.

From Los Angeles Times

What is it like having a child with what psychologists call emotionally based school avoidance and what should be done to help?

From BBC

The party accused her of "hypocritical tax avoidance", while supporting higher taxes on second homes.

From BBC

There is no suggestion she has broken any laws, but the Tories said this was "inappropriate tax avoidance for a minister subject to higher standards of conduct".

From BBC

Related Words

• evasion 
• prevention 
• restraint