avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio)
avoided; avoiding; avoids
Synonyms of avoid

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
avoidable
ə-ˈvȯi-də-bəl How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adjective
avoidably
ə-ˈvȯi-də-blē How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adverb
avoider noun

Synonyms of avoid

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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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As tensions rise with the Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento City Unified is pressing ahead with a new fiscal sustainability plan aimed at avoiding insolvency and preserving local control. — Chaewon Chung july 30, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 For example, experts estimate that some 2 million buildings in Florida will need to be lifted to avoid frequent flood damage, but so far, little has happened, and federal grants are being delayed. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Here are four paint colors to avoid, and several alternatives that balance design sense with functionality. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 30 July 2026 Here's what to know about cyclosporiasis cases in Pittsburgh and how to avoid it. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for avoid

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of avoid was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing avoid

Rhymes for avoid

See All Rhymes for avoid

Browse Nearby Words

avogram
avoid
avoidable
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Cite this Entry

“Avoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avoid. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

avoid

verb
ə-ˈvȯid How to pronounce avoid (audio)
1
: to keep away from
they have been avoiding me
2
: to keep from happening
avoid an accident
3
: to keep from doing or being
avoid getting too tired
avoidable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adjective
avoidably
-blē How to pronounce avoid (audio)
adverb
avoider noun

Legal Definition

avoid

transitive verb
1
: to make void or undo : annul
the trustee may avoid any transfer of interest of the debtor in property—U.S. Code
2
: to respond to (an allegation or averment) by declaring that facts alleged do not result in liability
averments in a pleading to which no responsive pleading is required or permitted shall be taken as denied or avoided—U.S. Code
see also confession and avoidance compare deny
3
: to prevent the occurrence of or responsibility for especially through lawful means
avoid a tax
compare evade
avoidability noun
avoidable adjective
avoidance noun
Etymology

modification of Old French esvuider to destroy, literally, to empty, from es- out + vuider to empty

More from Merriam-Webster on avoid

Nglish: Translation of avoid for Spanish Speakers

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