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

Fife sits for the interview with his former student Malcolm (Imperioli), and the movie flashes back to Fife’s prior avoidance of the Vietnam War draft, sharing candid stories of himself as a young man (Elordi) in the ’60s and beyond. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2024

For the avoidance of doubt, our members do not accept that any AI platform had or has the right to use their work without an express license, or their personal data without express consent. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024

And that avoidance is rarely questioned from the outside, likely due to the public’s own ignorance of animal agriculture’s harms. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024

Newbies looking for a quality drone that won't break the bank should check out this 4K Dual-Camera Drone for Beginners with intelligent obstacle avoidance for $64.97 (reg. —New Atlas, 8 Aug. 2024

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