avoid
/əˈvɔɪd/
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Type
Verb
Meaning
To keep away from someone or something deliberately.
He took the back stairs to avoid his talkative coworker in the hallway.
Why have you been avoiding me all week?
To prevent something undesirable or dangerous from happening.
Wearing a helmet can help you avoid serious injury.
Can serious accidents usually be avoided with proper training?
To refrain from doing, using, or consuming something.
Doctors advise patients to avoid sugary drinks before going to bed.
She strictly avoids gluten because of a diagnosed allergy.
How it's used
This means “try not to do something”
- avoid eating late
- avoid making the same mistake
“avoid doing it.”
Try to avoid eating heavy meals late at night.
Collocations
- avoid eye contact
- avoid a confrontation
- avoid suspicion
- avoid an accident
- avoid delays
- avoid mistakes
- avoid alcohol
- avoid caffeine
- carefully avoid
Antonyms
- confront
- seek
- embrace
Idioms
avoid like the plague
stay as far away as possible from someone or something
During rush hour, I avoid that highway like the plague.