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English verb: avoid

1. avoid (communication) stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something


SamplesHer former friends now avoid her.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Narrower (hyponym)bypass, circumvent, dodge, duck, elude, escape, escape, eschew, evade, fudge, get around, get away, get by, get off, get out, go around, hedge, keep off, miss, parry, put off, shirk, short-circuit, shun, shy away from, sidestep, skirt, stay off


Antonymsface, face up, confront

2. avoid (social) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening


SamplesLet's avoid a confrontation.
Head off a confrontation.
Avert a strike.


Synonymsavert, debar, deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent

3. avoid (social) refrain from doing something


SamplesShe refrains from calling her therapist too often.
He should avoid publishing his wife's memories.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s VERB-ing


Narrower (hyponym)fiddle, goldbrick, shirk, shrink from

4. avoid (consumption) refrain from certain foods or beverages


SamplesI keep off drugs.
During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day.


Synonymskeep off


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)abstain, desist, refrain

5. avoid (social) declare invalid


SamplesThe contract was annulled.
Void a plea.


Synonymsannul, invalidate, nullify, quash, void


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)cancel, strike down


Narrower (hyponym)break, stet


Antonymsvalidate, formalise, formalize









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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