1
as in evading
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 abolishing
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
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Recent Examples of avoiding
The Heat’s chances of avoiding the NBA’s play-in tournament are now very slim.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
The loss was Orlando’s eighth in the past 10 games as the team continues to trend the opposite direction of avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Chastain recommends avoiding using tea leaves on plants like lilacs and lavender, which prefer lower levels of acidity and nitrogen.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
To reduce exposure to microplastics, Gounder recommends avoiding bottled water, not heating food in plastic containers, and improving indoor air quality, since water and air are the major exposure routes.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The message from Gulf leaders has shifted over the years, but avoiding direct confrontation has always been a strategic imperative.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Seven hours of blissful, undisturbed snoozing could very well involve limiting caffeine intake, drinking chamomile tea and avoiding blue light before bedtime.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
At the same time, its focus remains tightly limited to the litter box area, avoiding broader household surveillance and addressing privacy concerns that can arise with in-home cameras.
—New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2026
The 2019 protocol delays when firefighters start preparing to be dispatched, with the goals of avoiding trips that could turn out to be unnecessary, leaving firefighters less fatigued and putting fewer miles on fire engines.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
The loss was Orlando’s eighth in the past 10 games as the team continues to trend the opposite direction of avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Chastain recommends avoiding using tea leaves on plants like lilacs and lavender, which prefer lower levels of acidity and nitrogen.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
To reduce exposure to microplastics, Gounder recommends avoiding bottled water, not heating food in plastic containers, and improving indoor air quality, since water and air are the major exposure routes.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The message from Gulf leaders has shifted over the years, but avoiding direct confrontation has always been a strategic imperative.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Seven hours of blissful, undisturbed snoozing could very well involve limiting caffeine intake, drinking chamomile tea and avoiding blue light before bedtime.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
At the same time, its focus remains tightly limited to the litter box area, avoiding broader household surveillance and addressing privacy concerns that can arise with in-home cameras.
—New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2026
The 2019 protocol delays when firefighters start preparing to be dispatched, with the goals of avoiding trips that could turn out to be unnecessary, leaving firefighters less fatigued and putting fewer miles on fire engines.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avoiding
Verb
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According to Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report, the Heat entered Wednesday with just a 9 percent chance of evading the play-in tourney.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Eric Lampkin-Scarborough, 19, was arrested for insufficient bonds related to a felony weapon charge and a misdemeanor evading arrest charge.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The clock ran out on a bill aimed at moving Georgia to a new time zone, ending supporters’ hopes of abolishing the chore of changing the clocks twice per year.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The National Women’s Soccer League announced a new CBA in the summer of 2024 that included giving players agency on where they are traded and abolishing expansion and collegiate drafts.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rear doors on police cars typically only open from the outside to prevent arrestees from escaping.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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But Sasaki locked in to strike out José Ramírez and induce Kyle Manzardo to line out, escaping without further damage.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president has gone so far as repealing a longtime scientific finding that climate change endangers public health and the environment.—
Matthew Daly,
San Antonio Express-News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Johnson, of the American Cancer Society, pushed back on arguments that repealing the program would save the state money.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Awareness over new laws designed for protection and legislation that stops short of holding websites and social media platforms accountable have posed hurdles to preventing the harm.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Indigo is one of a handful of airlines that are rerouting and canceling flights to avoid Pakistan’s airspace.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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Soundcore Earbuds Deal The Soundcore P31i earbuds pack flagship technology into a pocket-sized design, featuring adaptive noise cancelling that can silence up to 52dB of external roar.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wright is not the first attorney to accuse Brooks of dodging legal bills in a matter involving the Moore cousins.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The tanker has been subject to European Union sanctions since October due to its role in transporting sanctions-dodging Russian oil exports, according to the Open Sanctions website.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That is why the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs brought an immediate sense of relief.—
Serena Sato,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2026
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It's become a cornerstone of public school policy nationwide, but is being called into question again, and, with a stronger conservative majority on the Court than in 1982, overturning the ruling could radically reshape public education.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avoiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avoiding. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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