1 avoid | Definition of avoid
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avoid

verb
\ ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio) \
avoided; avoiding; avoids

Definition of avoid

transitive verb

1a : to keep away from : shun They have been avoiding me.
b : to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness of avoid further delays
c : to refrain from avoid overeating
2 law : to make legally void (see void entry 1 sense 1a) : annul avoid a plea
3 archaic : to depart or withdraw from : leave
4 obsolete : void, expel
Other Words from avoid Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about avoid

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Other Words from avoid

avoidable \ -​ˈvȯi-​dÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce avoidable (audio) \ adjective
avoidably \ -​blÄ“ How to pronounce avoidably (audio) \ adverb
avoider noun

Choose the Right Synonym for avoid

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. nothing escapes her sharp eyes avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. try to avoid past errors evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. evaded the question by changing the subject elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. what she sees in him eludes me shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence. you have shunned your responsibilities eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. a playwright who eschews melodrama

Examples of avoid in a Sentence

Why do you keep avoiding me? She took a detour to avoid the heavy traffic. They successfully avoided each other for days. He tried hard to avoid accidents. We need to avoid further delays. He was caught trying to avoid arrest. in an effort to avoid confusion I'm not going to be late if I can avoid it. How can I avoid paying too much tax? I am trying to avoid showing any hint of favoritism.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Motorists are urged to avoid N.E. Evergreen Pkwy. between Cornelius Pass and 185th Ave. and N.E. Walker Rd. between Amberglen and 185th Ave. — oregonlive, "Day after tornado, flood warnings for Portland area, Washington County," 10 Sep. 2019 By avoiding system memory, Intel's DDIO—short for Data-Direct I/O—increased input/output bandwidth and reduced latency and power consumption. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Weakness in Intel chips lets researchers steal encrypted SSH keystrokes," 10 Sep. 2019 The turbo would, at times, even be important for avoiding dicey traffic situations. — Ray Magliozzi, courant.com, "Car Talk: Put your Tesla to the test," 9 Sep. 2019 Foles, Mayfield, Mahomes sustain Week 1 injuries, while Colts began post-Luck era Philip Rivers rewarded his team Sunday not only by leading it to victory but also by avoiding injury. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Rivers rolls on for Chargers while young AFC QBs nurse injuries," 9 Sep. 2019 Allocating more money to former foster youth throughout their 20s would help them avoid becoming another grim statistic — and save billions in the long run. — Richae Robinson, The Mercury News, "Opinion: California foster youth need support well into their 20s," 8 Sep. 2019 Most of the ethics code, adopted in 2012, has to do with avoiding conduct that could lead to personal financial gain or that tarnishes the city’s reputation. — Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Bloomfield Hills official who stole yard signs blames the victim in court," 3 Sep. 2019 According to a Palm Beach County news release, standing water also can be found along: the 1500 block of North Flagler, Eighth Street and North Flagler; and Banyan Boulevard and Flagler Drive, and motorists were urged to avoid these areas. — Dan Sweeney, sun-sentinel.com, "Flooding and king tides loom in South Florida as Hurricane Dorian nears," 2 Sep. 2019 Of a thousand people who take statins for five years, the drugs will help only eighteen to avoid a major heart attack or stroke. — Hannah Fry, The New Yorker, "What Statistics Can and Can’t Tell Us About Ourselves," 2 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avoid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of avoid

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for avoid

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

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More Definitions for avoid

avoid

verb
How to pronounce avoid (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of avoid

: to stay away from (someone or something)
: to prevent the occurrence of (something bad, unpleasant, etc.)
: to keep yourself from doing (something) or participating in (something)

See the full definition for avoid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

avoid

verb
\ ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio) \
avoided; avoiding

Kids Definition of avoid

1 : to keep away from Are you avoiding me?
2 : to keep from happening avoid mistakes
3 : to keep from doing or being

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