Definitions

avoid

[uh-void] / əˈvɔɪd /

VERB

refrain or stay away from; prevent

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 steer clear of step aside turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet

STRONG

allow help permit stay take on

WEAK

seek want

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.

Mercedes - for one - had instructed their drivers to go wide on the pit-lane entry to avoid this risk.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

He said he doesn’t want to name the exact locations yet to avoid tipping off officials who might try to stop them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

It can provide electricity for only a few hours a day, and people avoid its flattened currency in favor of dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“Please allow extra time to get to the game and avoid the area around MSG if you don’t have a reason to be there.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

It sounded weird and wrong and the word felt thick on my tongue whenever I said it, so I mostly tried to avoid having to.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Vocabulary lists containing avoid

"Brothers in Hope"

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"Do Family Meals Matter?" and "Fish Cheeks"

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Workshop 5, Part 1

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