Definitions
- Referring to the act of deliberately avoiding or abstaining from something. - Talking about avoiding something due to moral, ethical, or personal reasons. - Describing the act of steering clear of something that is considered harmful or dangerous.
- Referring to the act of keeping away from something or someone. - Talking about preventing something from happening or coming into contact with something. - Describing the act of evading or escaping from something that is unpleasant or unwanted.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to the act of not engaging with something.
- 2Both words imply a conscious decision to stay away from something.
- 3Both words can be used to describe avoiding negative consequences.
What is the difference?
- 1Intention: Eschew implies a deliberate choice to avoid something for moral, ethical, or personal reasons, while avoid can be used in a broader range of contexts.
- 2Scope: Eschew is often used to describe avoiding entire categories of things, while avoid can refer to specific instances or actions.
- 3Formality: Eschew is more formal and less commonly used than avoid, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- 4Connotation: Eschew has a more serious and weighty connotation, while avoid can be used in a more lighthearted or casual way.
- 5Usage: Eschew is often used in written or formal contexts, while avoid can be used in both spoken and written language.
Remember this!
Eschew and avoid are synonyms that both refer to the act of staying away from something. However, eschew implies a deliberate choice to avoid something for moral, ethical, or personal reasons, while avoid is a more general term that can be used in a wider range of contexts. Additionally, eschew is more formal and less commonly used than avoid.
