Avoid — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈvȯid/

Meaning & Definition of Avoid

Avoid (verb)

  1. to keep away from, shun
  2. to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness of
  3. to refrain from

Avoid (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery

    "trying to avoid writing thank-you notes for the gifts he didn't like"

    similar: dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of), fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of
    related: miss, avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off), ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out, bypass, circumvent, skirt, foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart
    near: accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome, catch, contract, incur

  2. to put an end to by formal action

    "asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress"

    similar: abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, do away with, set aside
    related: countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject, annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off
    near: enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant, command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Avoid

The most common words with a similar meaning to Avoid:

dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of), abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of, do away with, set aside

Related Words for Avoid

miss, avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off), ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out, bypass, circumvent, skirt, foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart, countermand, override, overrule

Near Antonyms of Avoid

accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome, catch, contract, incur, enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant

Word Forms of Avoid

Inflections: avoided, avoiding, avoids

Derived words: avoidable (adjective), avoidably (adverb), avoider (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Avoid

Middle English, from Anglo-French avoider, alteration of Old French esvuider, from es- (from Latin ex-) + vuider to empty void:3

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Avoid

Words & Phrases Containing Avoid

avoid (someone or something) like the plague

Frequently Asked Questions about Avoid

What does "Avoid" mean?

"Avoid" means to keep away from, shun. As a verb, it is defined as: to keep away from, shun. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Avoid"?

Other words for "Avoid" include dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse and get around. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Avoid" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Avoid"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Avoid". Common alternatives include dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape and shake.

How do you use "Avoid" in a sentence?

Examples of "Avoid" in a sentence: "trying to avoid writing thank-you notes for the gifts he didn't like"; "asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress".

Is "Avoid" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Avoid" is a verb.

Is "Avoid" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Avoid" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Avoid"?

"Avoid" is pronounced /ə-ˈvȯid/.

What is the origin of the word "Avoid"?

"Avoid" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French avoider, alteration of Old French esvuider, from es- (from Latin ex-) + vuider to empty void:3. First known use: 14th century.