1
as in to evade
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 & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action
asked the court to avoid the contract because it was signed under duress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of avoid
Bell on Wednesday reaffirmed his support for Florida’s institutional neutrality policies, which discourages university leaders from taking official positions on political issues in an effort to avoid chilling debate among students and faculty.
—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Among other changes, the deal tightened rules for the auto industry, requiring that 75% of each vehicle be produced in North America to avoid any import duties.
—
Aaron Navarro,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Traditional cross-cultural business advice, focused on avoiding faux pas, is now outdated.
—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Investigators say the family moved across southern Ohio for years while hiding the children from neighbors and avoiding setting up records, evoking memories of notorious abuse cases such as California’s Turpin family.
—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for avoid
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Among other changes, the deal tightened rules for the auto industry, requiring that 75% of each vehicle be produced in North America to avoid any import duties.
—
Aaron Navarro,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Traditional cross-cultural business advice, focused on avoiding faux pas, is now outdated.
—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Investigators say the family moved across southern Ohio for years while hiding the children from neighbors and avoiding setting up records, evoking memories of notorious abuse cases such as California’s Turpin family.
—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for avoid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avoid
Verb
-
The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.
-
Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.
Verb
-
The other reconstruction amendments abolished slavery and expanded voting rights.
-
Trump and his supporters have repeatedly pushed Senate leaders to abolish the filibuster to pass the election bill, but there's also insufficient support to drastically change the chamber's procedures.
Verb
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
-
At the same time, East Florida's population was growing as British loyalists fled Georgia and the Carolinas to escape harassment from supporters of independence.
Verb
-
As aides at the Capitol were actively building a stage for the celebratory event, meant to communicate a big cost-of-living win to voters, the president abruptly canceled it.
-
The city council voting against a recommendation by its fire marshal to cancel the display.
Verb
-
Cloud cover prevented a California Highway Patrol helicopter from reaching the injured climber directly, forcing the rescue to unfold in stages.
-
Increasing staff at medical facilities during heat waves could also prevent unnecessary deaths.
Verb
-
The board voted unanimously to repeal the basement requirement.
-
Voters rejected an attempt to repeal the gas tax in 2018, according to the governor’s office.
Verb
-
This is the earliest that the Netherlands was eliminated from a World Cup tournament in history, reports ESPN.
-
Vic makes some baffling choices here, buzzing in twice on the first word in the series without hearing the rest, and getting eliminated from multiple rounds five seconds in.
Verb
-
Tuesday’s ruling means the regulations cannot take effect unless the decision is overturned on appeal.
-
Cleveland manager Terry Francona challenged the original safe call at second and got the play overturned after a replay delay that lasted 1 minute, 29 seconds.
Cite this Entry
“Avoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avoid. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
