1. Stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
   "Her former friends now avoid her"
    
2. Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off
   "They managed to avoid the crisis through quick action";
   - forefend [archaic], forfend [archaic], obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, ward off
    
3. Refrain from doing something
   "He should avoid publishing his wife's memories"
    
4. Refrain from certain foods or beverages
   "During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day";
   - keep off
    
5. Declare invalid
   "The court avoided the contract";
   - invalidate, annul, quash, void, nullify

Derived forms: avoiding, avoids, avoided

See also: maintain

Type of: abstain, cancel, contradict, desist, disdain, forbear, forbid, foreclose, forestall, freeze off [informal], negate, pooh-pooh [informal], preclude, prevent, refrain, reject, scorn, spurn, strike down, turn down

Antonym: confront

Encyclopedia: Avoid, Control, Accept, or Transfer