avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯi-dᵊn(t)s 

1

obsolete

a

: an action of emptying, vacating, or clearing away

b

: outlet

2

: annulment sense 1

3

: an act or practice of avoiding or withdrawing from something

Synonyms

• cop-out
• dodging
• ducking
• eluding
• elusion
• escape
• eschewal
• eschewing
• evasion
• out
• shaking
• shunning

Examples of avoidance in a Sentence

a writer known for avoidance of sentimentality

a complete avoidance of sentimentality

Recent Examples on the Web

Symptoms of this condition can include vivid memories of the fires, nightmares, hypervigilance or avoidance of anything that reminds someone of the event, Alpert said. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025

Active safety features include a pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, plus lane deviation and avoidance. —New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2025

His controversial tenure as the Dodgers’ owner, which included allegations of financial mismanagement and tax avoidance, ended with the team filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2011. —Phoebe Liu, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

This robot vacuum/mop hybrid can sense, pick up, and put away your stray socks using its mechanical arm, marking an industry shift from object avoidance technology to object removal technology. —Pcmag Staff, PCMAG, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s 

: the act or an instance of avoiding something

Medical Definition

avoidance

noun

avoid·​ance ə-ˈvȯid-ᵊn(t)s 

often attributive

: the act or practice of keeping away from or withdrawing from something undesirable

reinforced by escape or avoidance of electric shock

—E. S. Katkin & E. N. Murray

avoidance learning

especially : an anticipatory response undertaken to avoid a noxious stimulus

conditioned avoidance in mice