avoid

verb transitive

US /əˈvɔɪd/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	avoid
he/she/it	avoids
present participle	avoiding
past tense	avoided
past participle	avoided

1
to try not to go near someone or something
We went early to avoid the crowds.
Avoid that area after dark.
Synonyms and related words
To move past or around an area or object
pass
round
clear
1. 1a
  to make certain that you do not meet or communicate with someone
  We crossed the road to avoid him.
  avoid doing something:
  I want to avoid speaking to him until I’ve got more details.
  Synonyms and related words
  To fail or refuse to communicate with someone
  avoid
  brush off
  shun
2
to try to prevent something from happening
Try to avoid confrontation.
avoid doing something:
I want to avoid being drawn into the argument.
Synonyms and related words
To prevent something from happening
prevent
stop
avert
3
to choose not to do something in order to achieve a better result
When taking this medication it is advisable to avoid alcohol.
avoid doing something:
Where possible, we have avoided using technical terms.
Synonyms and related words
To avoid doing something, or to avoid something
avoid
get out of
duck out of
1. 3a
  to choose not to do something because it is unpleasant or not convenient
  He hates cutting the grass and will avoid it whenever he can.
  avoid doing something:
  She’s just avoiding having to go back to work.
  Synonyms and related words
  To avoid doing something, or to avoid something
  avoid
  get out of
  duck out of
4
legalto declare that a contract or other agreement is no longer legal or in force
Synonyms and related words
To prevent something from happening
prevent
stop
avert

phrases

avoid someone/something like the plague

avoid ​‌‌‌

avoid ​‌‌‌

avoid

avoid