avoid

To stay away from someone or something, or choose not to do something.

• I avoid crowded places.
• She avoided talking to her neighbour.
• Why are you avoiding me?

How to use it: avoid someone/something (We avoid that road during busy hours.); avoid doing something (Try to avoid eating too much sugar.)

Similar words: stay away from, keep clear of, steer clear of

Opposites: seek out

Common phrases: avoid someone, avoid crowds, avoid doing something

To move or act so that something dangerous or harmful does not hit or hurt you.

• He jumped back to avoid the punch.
• The driver swerved to avoid a cyclist.
• She narrowly avoided a falling branch.

Similar words: dodge, evade

Common phrases: avoid a collision, avoid a blow, avoid something

To make a legal agreement or action no longer valid.

• The buyer sought to avoid the contract.
• Fraud allowed the court to avoid the agreement.
• The creditor applied to avoid the transaction.

Similar words: invalidate, annul, void

Opposites: validate

Common phrases: avoid a contract, avoid a transaction