What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elusion
Example
The thief managed to elude the police by hiding in an abandoned building. [elude: verb]
Example
The athlete's elusion of the defender was impressive. [elusion: noun]
avoidance
Example
I have an allergy to peanuts, so I practice avoidance by not eating foods that contain them. [avoidance: noun]
Example
She tends to use avoidance as a coping mechanism when faced with difficult conversations. [avoidance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Avoidance is more commonly used than elusion in everyday language. Avoidance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while elusion is less common and refers to a specific type of avoidance that requires skill or effort.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elusion and avoidance?
Both elusion and avoidance are formal words that are more likely to be used in written or academic contexts than in casual conversation.
