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.

“Investing proactively helps avoid higher costs tomorrow and ensures we can serve growing demand.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

This meant they could avoid triggering some burglar alarm systems which only covered downstairs floors.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,'” he said, quoting Matthew 5:9, vowing to seek “ways to avoid war any time that’s possible.”

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

We’ll avoid the stocks that have low short interest as a percentage of shares relative to the past two years.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

There was no way that I could avoid hearing of the baby’s birth while in the company of other people.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

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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