WordWeb Online

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
   "Let's avoid a confrontation";
   - debar, forefend, forfend, 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
   - invalidate, annul, quash, void, nullify

Derived forms: avoided, avoids, avoiding

Type of: abstain, cancel, desist, forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, refrain, strike down

Antonym: confront

Encyclopedia: Avoid