avoid (v.)

  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; Lets avoid a confrontation; head off a confrontation; avert a strike

    [ Syn: debar , forefend , forfend , obviate , deflect , avert , head off , stave off , fend off , ward off ]

  3. refrain from doing something; She refrains from calling her therapist too often; He should avoid publishing his wife's memories'

  4. refrain from certain foods or beverages; I keep off drugs; During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day

    [ Syn: keep off ]

  5. declare invalid; The contract was annulled; void a plea

    [ Syn: invalidate , annul , quash , void , nullify ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.