avoid | Definition of avoid

Synonyms and Antonyms of avoid

1 to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery

trying to avoid writing thank-you notes for the gifts he didn't like

Synonyms of avoid

dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of)

Words Related to avoid

avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off)

ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out

bypass, circumvent, skirt

foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart

Phrases Synonymous with avoid

fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of

Near Antonyms of avoid

accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome

catch, contract, incur

2 to put an end to by formal action

asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress

Synonyms of avoid

abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void

Words Related to avoid

countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto

abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw

ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit

disallow, dismiss, reject

annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off

Phrases Synonymous with avoid

do away with, set aside

Near Antonyms of avoid

enact, lay down, legislate

establish, found, institute

formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate

allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse (also indorse), permit, sanction, warrant

command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe