avoid
verb (used with object)
to keep away from; keep clear of; shun.
were avoiding
-
past progressiveof avoid.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
It’s not like we were avoiding working together, but we certainly weren’t in a big hurry to work together.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026
Executives in London -- the world's top shipping insurance market -- insisted captains were avoiding the route to protect their crews, not because they could not get insured.
From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026
The top reasons for taking hardship withdrawals last year were avoiding foreclosure and eviction, and paying medical expenses, according to Vanguard.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
"Suddenly they didn't want to talk to me anymore. They were avoiding my calls. I was really panicking," she said.
From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2025
They were avoiding the topic with a deliberate unconcern; he must be somewhere now, I thought, doing something, what I didn’t want to ask.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
