avoid

Meaning

To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun
To stay out of the way of (something harmful).
to keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from
To try not to do something or to have something happen
(obsolete) To make empty; to clear.
To make void, to annul; to refute (especially a contract).
To defeat or evade; to invalidate.
(obsolete) To emit or throw out; to void.
(obsolete) To leave, evacuate; to leave as empty, to withdraw or come away from.
(obsolete) To get rid of.
(obsolete) To retire; to withdraw, depart, go away.
(obsolete) To become void or vacant.

evade

abstain from

refrain from

steer clear of

stay away

shrink from

keep clear of

abstain

not want

ward off

fend off

prevent

escape from

distance oneself from

get away from

prevaricate

get out of the way

run away from

side-step

forefend

steer clear

stay away from

sidestop

hold aloof from

keep one’s distance

object to

point at

be evasive

awkward situation

refuse to accept

stay clear

change the issue

keep from paying

hold aloof

make one’s gateway

be on the alert

be shy

endeavor not to meet

flee from

become annulled

hide from

keep aloof

not like

restrain oneself

retreat from

adeem

show a clean pair of heels

abolish

shy away

be revolted at

take to one’s heels

turn aside

fail to recognize

fail to notice

lean to one side

be shy of

be rescued from

be exempted

be relieved from pain

keep

feel disgusted at

keep back

dislike

Frequency

Hyphenated as

a‧void

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈvɔɪd/

From Middle English avoiden, from Anglo-Norman avoider, Old French esvuidier (“to empty out”), from es- + vuidier, from Vulgar Latin *vocitāre < Vulgar Latin *vocitum, ultimately related to Latin vacuus. Displaced native Old English forbūgan (literally “to bend away from”).

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