avoidance
noun
avoid·ance
ə-ˈvȯi-dᵊn(t)s 
1
3
: an act or practice of avoiding or withdrawing from something
Examples of avoidance in a Sentence
a writer known for avoidance of sentimentality
a complete avoidance of sentimentality
Recent Examples on the Web
Washington — The House of Representatives is set to consider whether a collision avoidance system that supporters say could have prevented last year’s deadly midair collision near Washington should be required on every plane in the US.
—
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
There's no collision avoidance, which is common for less expensive beginner to enthusiast models, but the Atom does offer impressive subject-tracking functionality.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Financially, that can look like missed deadlines, avoidance, reactive spending, or complete paralysis.
—Tiffany Aliche, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avoidance
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Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
There's no collision avoidance, which is common for less expensive beginner to enthusiast models, but the Atom does offer impressive subject-tracking functionality.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Financially, that can look like missed deadlines, avoidance, reactive spending, or complete paralysis.
—Tiffany Aliche, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avoidance
Cite this Entry
“Avoidance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avoidance. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avoidance
noun
avoid·ance
ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s
: the act or an instance of avoiding something
Medical Definition
avoidance
noun
avoid·ance
ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s
often attributive
: the act or practice of keeping away from or withdrawing from something undesirable
reinforced by escape or avoidance of electric shock—E. S. Katkin & E. N. Murray
E. S. Katkin & E. N. Murrayavoidance learning
especially
: an anticipatory response undertaken to avoid a noxious stimulus
conditioned avoidance in mice
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