1. (

• avoid

) stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her" ;

2. (

• debar ,
• forefend ,
• forfend ,
• obviate ,
• deflect ,
• avert ,
• head_off ,
• stave_off ,
• fend_off ,
• avoid ,
• ward_off

) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" ;

3. (

• avoid ,

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

4. (

• keep_off ,
• avoid

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

5. (

• invalidate ,
• annul ,
• quash ,
• void ,
• avoid ,
• nullify

) declare invalid; "The contract was annulled"; "void a plea" ;