avoid

[əˈvɔɪd]

avoid Definition

• 1. to keep away from someone or something
• 2. to prevent something from happening
• 3. to refrain from doing something

Using avoid: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "avoid" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I try to avoid eating too much sugar.

• Example

  He avoided eye contact with me.

• Example

  She avoided answering my question.

• Example

  The accident could have been avoided if he had been more careful.

• Example

  We need to avoid making the same mistakes again.

avoid Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for avoid

• evade
• elude
• shun
• dodge
• escape

Antonyms for avoid

• confront
• face
• meet

Phrases with avoid

• avoid someone like the plague

  to stay away from someone completely

  Example

  I always avoid my ex-boyfriend like the plague when I see him at parties.

• avoid the issue

  to not talk about the main topic of discussion

  Example

  He kept avoiding the issue and wouldn't answer my questions directly.

• avoid responsibility

  to not take responsibility for something that you are responsible for

  Example

  He tried to avoid responsibility for the mistake by blaming it on someone else.

Origins of avoid

from Old French 'esvuidier', meaning 'empty out'

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Summary: avoid in Brief

'Avoid' [əˈvɔɪd] means to keep away from, prevent, or refrain from something. It can be used in various contexts, such as avoiding sugary foods or avoiding a person. Phrases like 'avoid someone like the plague' and 'avoid the issue' use 'avoid' to denote staying away from someone or not talking about the main topic of discussion, respectively.